THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


NEWELL'S    BRIDGE.    WILLOW    STREET. 


1Rarrati\>e 


A    HISTORY 


DOVER,  MASSACHUSETTS 


PRECINCT,   PARISH,  DISTRICT,  AND  TOWN 


BY 

FRANK    SMITH 


DOVER,  MASS. 

PUBLISHED     KY     THE     TOWN 
l897 


COPYRIGHTED    1897 


FRANK    SMITH 


F 

7-y 

D7.3.S6 


MANUSCRIPT    ACCEPTED  BY  THE  TOWN    AND    ORDERED 
PRINTED  APRIL  24,  1896. 


"  In  any  age  it  is  a  duty  which  every  country  owes  to  itself  to  pre- 
serve the  records  of  its  past,  and  to  honor  the  men  and  women  whose 
lives  and  deeds  made  possible  its  present." 

History  is  the  great  looking-glass  through  which  we  may  behold, 
with  ancestral  eyes,  not  only  the  various  deeds  of  past  ages  and  the  odd 
accidents  that  attend  time,  but  also  discover  the  different  humors  of 
men. —  HOWELL. 


610289 

CBOGBAPHT 


AFFECTIONATELY   DEDICATED 
TO    THE    MEMORY   OF 

JENNIE    GERTRUDE    SMITH 

WHOSE   PATIENT   RESEARCH    MADE   POSSIBLE  THE   WRITING   OF 

THESE    PAGES   AMID   THE    EXACTING   DUTIES 

OF  A   BUSY  LIFE 


PREFACE. 


The  writing  of  this  history  has  been  a  labor  of  love.  It 
had  its  origin  in  the  desire  to  do  something  for  the  place  of 
one's  birth. 

Since  history  records  the  life  of  the  people,  it  is  easily 
seen  that  nothing  can  be  of  more  value  or  of  more  abiding 
interest  than  the  story  of  the  labors,  the  fortitude,  the  pri- 
vations, the  heroism,  the  patriotism,  and  the  loves  of  the 
fathers.  In  the  evolution  of  the  town,  in  the  establishment 
of  its  institutions,  in  the  life  of  its  men  and  women,  we  have 
an  abiding  example  worthy  of  all  emulation.  It  emphasizes 
the  truth  that  men  must  bear  one  another's  hardships  and 
burdens,  and  that  there  is  nothing  lasting  that  is  not  founded 
on  honor,  virtue,  duty,  and  purity. 

The  author  is  under  obligations  to  the  many  friends  who 
have  rendered  him  assistance  in  this  work,  and  it  is  with 
sadness  that  he  recalls  the  interest  of  those  who  now  sleep 
with  the  fathers.  A  second  volume  will  follow,  giving  not 
only  the  genealogy  of  present  families,  but  also  all  residents 
previous  to  1840,  since  which  time  complete  records  have 
been  kept  by  the  Commonwealth. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


I.  NEWELL'S  BRIDGE.     Frontispiece. 

II.  THE  WINDING  CHARLES 

III.  OLD  CARYL  PARSONAGE,  BUILT  1777 

IV.  ARTICLES  USED  IN  THE  HOME  LIFE  OF  A  PAST  GEN- 

ERATION      

V.  WILLIAMS'  TAVERN 

VI.  OLD  FARM  IMPLEMENTS 

VII.  FIRST  PARISH  UNITARIAN  CHURCH 

VIII.  INTERIOR  FIRST  PARISH  CHURCH 

IX.  BAPTIST  CHAPEL 

X.  EVANGELICAL  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH 

XI.  CEMETERY 

XII.  SANGER  SCHOOLHOUSK 

XIII.  NORTH  SCHOOLHOUSE 

XIV.  WEST  SCHOOLHOUSE 

XV.  EAST  SCHOOLHOUSE       

XVI.  TOWN  HALL 

XVII.  RAILROAD  STATION 

XVIII.  OLD  APPLE  TREES  SAID  TO  HAVE  BEEN  GROWN  FROM 

SEED  BROUGHT  FROM  ENGLAND 

XIX.  WATERFALL  AT  OLD  MILI 

XX.  DINGLE  HOLE  NARROWS  . 


274 
282 
323 


MAPS. 


I.     REPRODUCTION  OF  THE  MAP  OF  1831. 
II.     STREETS  AND  RESIDENCES,  1896. 


HISTORY  OF  DOVER 


The  illustrations  were  made  from  photographs  taken  by  John  F. 
Guild,  of  Dedham,  who  spared  no  time  or  effort  in  producing  the  best 
work.  Only  two  of  the  pictures  need  explanation.  Among  the  "Arti- 
cles used  in  the  Home  Life  of  a  Past  Generation  "  will  be  seen  the 
cradle  that  rocked  the  children  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caryl ;  near  it  a  large 
reel,  splint-bottomed  chair,  and  small  spinning-wheel  —  a  flax  wheel, 
with  a  hatchel  attached.  On  the  seat  of  the  settle  rests  a  pair  of  wool 
cards,  tin  lantern,  foot-stove,  knapsack,  and  powder-horns,  probably 
used  in  the  Revolution.  The  large  spinning-wheel  —  a  wool  wheel  — 
stands  at  the  right,  with  brass  kettles  and  grain  sieve  behind.  On 
either  side  of  the  reel  are  implements  used  in  manufacturing  straw  hats 
and  bonnets.  The  Dutch  baker  and  tin  kitchen,  with  spit  for  roast- 
ing meat,  appears,  with  wooden  bowl,  wooden  shovel,  warming-pan, 
and  besom.  A  pair  of  snow-shoes  rest  in  front  of  the  settle,  with  a 
collection  of  ironware  used  in  cooking. 

In  the  picture  of  "  Old  Farm  Implements  "  will  be  seen  a  revolving 
horse-rake,  with  grain  cradle  and  wooden  ploughs  in  front.  A  flax- 
break  rests  against  the  wall,  with  an  ox-yoke  at  the  right.  The  harrow 
was  used  on  the  day  of  the  battle  of  Lexington.  At  the  right  are  a 
peat-knife  and  ditch-digger,  while  a  pair  of  mud-shoes,  flail,  and  sickles 
rest  in  the  foreground. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

PAGE 

OUTLINE  OF  THE  TOWN • .     .         i 

Topography  —  Name  — •  Hills  —  Brooks  —  Bridges  —  Highways 

—  Natural  Curiosities  —  Indians  —  Wild  Animals  —  Areas 

—  Farming  —  Boundary  —  Indian    Ownership  —  Massa- 
chusetts     Bay    Colony  —  Population  —  Town     Seal  — 
Streets. 

CHAPTER    II. 

THE  BEGINNING  OF  PARISH  LIFE 20 

Fourth  Precinct  of  Dedham —  Character  of  the  People — -Early 
Settlers  in  Dover — Henry  Wilson  —  Thomas  Battle  — 
Nathaniel  Chickering  —  James  Draper — Old  Fortification 

—  First  Effort  to  be  made  a  Precinct  —  First  Tax  List  — 
Petition  to  the  General  Court  and  Signers  —  Organization 
of  the  Precinct  and  Election  of  Officers. 

CHAPTER    III. 
BUILDING  THE  MEETING-HOUSE 29 

Building  Committee  —  Dimensions  of  the  Meeting-house  — 
Site  —  Committee  on  the  Site  —  Report  of  the  Commit- 
tee—  Description  of  the  Accepted  Site  —  Meeting-house, 
when  raised  —  Dedication  —  Committee  on  Seating  the 
Meeting-house  —  Seats  for  Young  Men,  Young  Women, 
Boys  —  Seats,  how  dignified. 

CHAPTER    IV. 
HOW    THEY    SECURED    A    MINISTER 44 

The  First  Preacher — Letter  from  the  Grand  Jury  of  Suffolk 
County — Public  Worship  not  Continuous  until  1759  — 
Application  for  a  Division  of  First  Church  Lands  — •  Vote 
to  call  a  Minister  —  Joseph  Manning — Samuel  Dana  — 
Supplies  —  Call  to  Benjamin  Caryl — Organization  of  the 
Church. 


xil  HISTORY  OF  DOVER 

CHAPTER   V. 

I'AGE 

THE  FIRST  MINISTER 55 

Benjamin  Caryl — Letter  of  Acceptance  —  Ordination  —  A 
Confession  of  Faith  —  Church  Covenant  —  Selection  of 
Deacons  —  Gift  of  Land  for  a  Parsonage  —  Mr.  Caryl's 
Bible — Death  of  Mr.  Caryl—  Funeral  —  Estimate  of  his 
Character  —  Day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer  —  Gravestone 
Erected  to  his  Memory. 

CHAPTER    VI. 
SOCIAL  LIFE  AND  CONDITIONS 67 

Old     Families  —  Books     and     Newspapers  —  Uncomfortable 
Meeting-houses  —  Farm  Life  —  Quilting  —  Flowers  —  Old 
Houses  — •  House -furnishings  —  Wooden  Plates  —  Price 
of  Farm  Products  —  Travel  —  •'  Bundle  Handkerchiefs  "- 
Life  among  the  Boys  and  Girls. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

COLONIAL  CONTESTS 81 

Early  Military  Organization  —  Louisburg  —  Crown  Point  — 
Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act — Sons  of  Liberty — Boston 
Tea-party —  Committee  appointed  to  see  that  No  Tea  was 
drunk  in  the  Springfield  Parish  —  Vote  not  to  purchase 
Imported  Articles  — •  Committee  of  Correspondence  — 
Tories. 

CHAPTER    VIII. 
THE  SPRINGFIELD  PARISH  IN  THE   REVOLUTION     ...       90 

Hattle  of  Lexington  —  Death  of  Elias  Haven  —  ('apt.  Eben- 
ezer  Battle's  Company  of  Minute-men — Battle  of  Bunker 
1 1  ill  —  Dorchester  Heights  —  Battle  of  Trenton  —  Valley 
Forge  —  Cherry  Valley  —  Continental  Money — Revolu- 
tionary Supplies  —  Petition  of  Daniel  Whiting  to  General" 
Court —  Discipline  of  Continental  Army. 

CHAPTER    IX. 
MILITARY   SERVICES 115 

Individual    Records — Lexington  Alarm  —  Dorchester   Heights 

—  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  —  Ticonderoga — Rhode   Island 

—  Castle  Island  —  I'oston  —  Cambridge  —  Roxburv. 


CONTENTS  xin 

CHAPTER   X. 

PAGE 

MILITARY  SERVICES. —  Continued 132 

Shays's  Rebellion  —  Difficulty  in  Raising  Soldiers  —  Second 
War  \vith  Great  Britain  —  Ports  blockaded — Service  of 
Dover  Soldiers  —  Militia  —  Service  of  Dover  Officers  in 
the  Militia — Memorial  Day. 

CHAPTER    XI. 
THE  SECOND  MEETING-HOUSE 143 

Committee  on  New  Meeting-house  —  Meeting-house  burned 
—  Selection  of  Grounds  —  Exchange  of  Land  —  Meeting- 
house patterned  after  Church  in  Roxbury — Dedication  — 
Method  of  Assessing  Pews  —  Rules  for  Seating  the  Meet- 
ing-house. 

CHAPTER    XII. 
THE  SECOND  MINISTER 150 

Call  extended  to  Mr.  Ralph  Sanger — Letter  of  Acceptance  — 
Ordination  —  Efforts  to  liberalize  the  Church  —  Work  in 
behalf  of  Education,  Agriculture,  Temperance,  Railroad  — 
Degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  —  Resignation  —  Death  in 
Cambridge. 

CHAPTER    XIII. 
ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY 167 

The  Third  Minister  —  Ordination  of  Edward  Barker,  the  Rev. 
George  Proctor,  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Locke,  the  Rev.  Eugene 
De  Normandie,  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Badger,  the  Rev.  Obecl 
Eldridge,  the  Rev.  P.  S.  Thacher — First  Sunday-school  — 
Parish  Library  —  Christmas  Celebration  —  Ladies'  Benevo- 
lent Society  —  Church  Decoration  —  Easter. 

CHAPTER    XIV. 
ECCLESIASTICAL  HISTORY. —  Continued 183 

Baptist  Church  —  the  Rev.  A.  E.  Battelle  —  Second  Congrega- 
tional Church  —  the  Rev.  George  Champion  —  the  Rev. 
Calvin  White  —  the  Rev.  ().  W.  Cooley  —  the  Rev.  John 
Haskell  —  the  Rev.  Thomas  Norton  —  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Wil- 


xiv  HISTORY  OF  DOVER 

PAGE 

son —  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Strong  —  the  Rev.  John  Wood  — 
the  Rev.  Pierce  Pinch  —  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Brownville  —  the 
Rev.  P.  C.  Headley  —  the  Rev.  II.  L.  Howard  —  the  Rev. 
A.  M.  Rice  — the  Rev.  A.  H.  Tyler  —  the  Rev.  Edwin 
Leonard  —  Christian  Endeavor  Society  —  Millerit6s — 
Catholics. 

CHAPTER    XV. 
CEMETERY 194 

First  Burial  —  Land  given  by  Nathaniel  Chickering — First 
Gravestone  —  Hearse  —  Improvement  and  Enlargement  of 
the  Cemetery  —  Funeral  Customs  —  Care  of  Cemetery  — 
Epitaphs  — •  Naming  the  Cemetery. 

CHAPTER    XVI. 
SCHOOLS 203 

First  Schoolhouse  —  Dame  School  —  Appropriation  for  Schools 

—  First    Woman    Teacher — New  England   Primer  —  Re- 
quired  Studies  —  New  Schoolhouse — School  Committee 

—  Superintendent — First    Free    Books  —  Center    School 

—  Sanger  School  —  Organization  of  High  School  —  East 
School — West     School  —  The     South     District  —  North 
School  —  School  Libraries  —  College  Graduates. 

CHAPTER    XVII. 
CIVIL  HISTORY 222 

The  Evolution  of  the  Town  —  Vote  of  Dedham  Town-meet- 
ing—  Act  of  Incorporation  —  Board  of  District  Officers  — 
Annual  Town-meetings —  Post-office. 


CHAPTER    XVHI. 

CIVIL  HISTORY. —  Continued 

I  lartford  Turnpike  —  Small-pox  —  Fire-engine  —  Tavern-keep- 
ers—  Proprietors'  Library —  How  the  Poor  were  cared  for 
—  Town  Hall — Town  Library  —  Agricultural  Library- 
Representatives  to  the  General  Court — Selectmen  — 
Town-clerks  —  Treasurers  —  Superintendents  of  Schools. 


CONTENTS  xv 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

PAGE 

CIVIL  HISTORY. —  Continued 256 

Highways  —  First  Road — -Court  Street  —  Medfield  Road  — 
Walpole  Street  —  Labor  on  Highways  —  Breaking  Roads 
in  Winter  —  Training  Days  —  Parks  —  Common  • —  Spring- 
dale  Park  —  Metropolitan  Park  System  —  Charles  River 
Railroad  —  Charles  River  Branch  Railroad  —  New  Eng- 
land Railroad. 

CHAPTER    XX. 
SOCIETIES  AND  ORGANIZATIONS 273 

Temperance  Reform  —  Drinking  Custom  at  Funerals  and  Or- 
dinations —  Cider-mills  —  Norfolk  County  Temperance 
Union  —  Band  of  Hope  —  Sons  of  Temperance  —  School- 
house  Meetings  —  Dover  Temperance  Union- — Organiza- 
tion of  the  Grange  —  Needham  Farmers' and  Mechanics' 
Association  —  Debating  Society — Historical  Society  — 
Centennial  Celebration. 

CHAPTER    XXI. 
MANUFACTURING  AND  INDUSTRIES 280 

Mills  —  Whip  Factory  —  Straw  Business — Brush  Factory  — 
Shoe  Business  —  Ploughs  —  Hoops  —  Paper  —  Cigars  — 
Charcoal  —  Blacksmiths  —  Wheelwright  —  Milk  Business 

—  Stores —  Inventions —  Authorship  —  Agriculture. 

CHAPTER    XXII. 
THE  CIVIL  WAR 301 

Tidings  of  War  —  Liberty-poles  —  Battles  in  which  Dover 
Soldiers  served  —  Names  of  Dover  Soldiers  killed  or  died 
in  Service  —  Home  Guards  —  Action  of  the  Town  —  Re- 
cruiting Committee  —  Amount  of  Money  raised  —  Draft 

—  Patriotic    Women  —  War   Envelopes  —  Record   of   the 
Soldiers  in  the  Army  and  Navy. 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 
NATURAL  HISTORY  . 


Geology  —  Mineralogy  —  Flora  —  Weeds  —  Sylva 
and  Vines  —  Ferns —  Fauna — Birds. 


DOVER,  MASSACHUSETTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

OUTLINE   OF    THE   TOWN. 

TOPOGRAPHY  --  NAME  —  HILLS  --  BROOKS  —  BRIDGES  - 
HIGHWAYS  —  NATURAL    CURIOSITIES  —  INDIANS  —  WILD 
ANIMALS  —  AREAS  —  FARMING  —  BOUNDARY  —  INDIAN 
OWNERSHIP  —  MASSACHUSETTS    BAY    COLONY  —  POPULA- 
TION—TOWN SEAL — STREETS. 

Snow  in  hushes  falling, 

Blue  day  creeping  by, 
Trees  in  still  processions 

Etched  upon  the  sky; 
And  a  silent  village 

Where  the  gray  stones  lean, 
Whispering  of  a  Dover 

They  alone  have  seen. 

—  WILLIAM  C.  GANNETT. 

Dover  forms  a  part  of  the  westerly  boundary  of  Nor- 
folk County.  Before  the  organization  of  this  county  it 
belonged  to  Suffolk  County  ;  and  when,  after  its  organ- 
ization, in  1793,  a  strong  opposition  arose,  nine  towns 
having  petitioned  to  be  set  back  to  Suffolk  County, 
Dover  chose  Capt.  Samuel  Fisher  to  oppose  this  action 
and  keep  the  new  county  intact. 

At  the  point  of  the  First  Parish  church  it  has  an 
exact  latitude  of  42°,  14',  45",  north,  and  longitude  west 
of  Greenwich  of  71°,  17',  0.29".  Dover  is  bounded  on 


2  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

the  north  by  Wellesley  arid  Needham,  on  the  south  by 
Medfield  and  Walpole,  on  the  east  by  Dedham,  and 
on  the  west  by  Sherborn  and  Natick.  Charles  River, 

"  That  in  silence  windest 
Through  the  meadows  bright  and  free," 

skirts  the  town  in  its  zigzag  course  for  ten  and  a  half 
miles ;  and  the  echo  of  the  white  man's  paddle  is  heard 
to-day  where  that  of  the  Indian  resounded  two  hundred 
years  ago.  Like  Natick,  it  might  be  called  "  a  place  of 
hills."  Dover  is  located  on  the  central  division  of  the 
New  England  Railroad,  and  the  residents  are  accommo- 
dated by  three  stations ;  namely,  Dover,  Farm  Street, 
and  Charles  River  Village. 

By  rail  the  town  is  15.8  miles  from  Boston,  and  by 
carriage  road  16.36  miles  from  the  City  Hall. 

Dover  is  strictly  an  agricultural  town,  and  has  at 
present  sixty-four  farms  having  ten  or  more  acres 
under  cultivation,  together  with  numerous  smaller  ones. 
There  are  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  dwelling-houses. 
It  was  for  many  years  a  part  of  Dedham,  being  called 
the  Fourth,  or  Springfield,  Parish.  The  inhabitants 
petitioned  the  General  Court  in  1782  to  be  incorporated 
into  a  town  by  the  name  of  Derby  ;  but  the  smallness 
of  the  population,  which  did  not  number  above  four  hun- 
dred and  fifty  souls,  prevented  such  an  incorporation. 

We  do  not  find  that  the  parish  selected  the  name  for 
the  proposed  town.  The  choice  was  probably  left  to 
the  chairman  of  the  committee,  Col.  John  Jones,  a  man 
of  prominence  in  the  parish,  who  is  described  as  "  a 
well-formed,  well-dressed  man,  who  rode  in  his  own  car- 
riage, lived  in  handsome  style,  performed  no  manual 


OUTLINE    OF    THE     TOWN  3 

labor,  wore  a  ruffled  shirt,  and  was  one  of  the  three 
personages  that  constituted,  in  Mrs.  Stowe's  '  Oldtown 
Folks,'  'our  House  of  Lords.'  '  His  tastes  and  habits 
were  English  ;  and  he  probably  selected  the  name  in 
honor  of  Derby,  England,  a  fine  town  and  county.  In 
the  bill  of  incorporation  the  name  was  changed,  while 
in  the  Senate,  to  Dover,  which,  tradition  says,  was  given 
in  honor  of  Dover,  England.  Either  name  would  prob- 
ably satisfy  Colonel  Jones's  fondness  for  old  English 
names. 

Of  all  the  original  territory  of  Dedham  none  is  more 
picturesque  or  varied  in  its  scenery  than  this  town. 
Standing  on  the  summit  of  Meeting-house  Hill,  one 
beholds  a  panorama  of  varied  beauty  in  hill  and  dale, 
in  wood  and  field,  in  flowing  stream  and  winding  street, 
and  in  the  pleasant  homes  that  dot  the  landscape.  A 
broad  meadow  lies  at  one's  feet,  which,  when  clad  in 
the  tender  green  of  sprouting  grass  and  leafing  tree, 
adds  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  surroundings. 

Here  is  a  pair  of  brooks,  whose  water,  filtered  through 
the  eminences  around,  is  of  that  purity  which  exhilarates 
both  man  and  beast.  The  streams  have  met  and  —  in 
the  words  of  Frank  Bolles,  describing  a  visit  to  Pegan 
Hill  near  by  —  "pledged  eternal  friendship  and  passed 
on  united,  singing,  looking  up  blue-eyed  toward  heaven." 

At  the  north,  Pegan  Hill,  a  part  of  which  lies  across 
the  boundary  line  in  Natick,  rises  very  gradually  to  an 
elevation  of  four  hundred  and  twenty  feet.  Large  at 
its  base,  this  hill  does  not  show  its  height  as  readily 
as  one  covering  a  smaller  area.  Pegan  Hill  is  one  of 
the  most  accessible  and  beautiful  hills  in  eastern  Massa- 
chusetts, and  was  named  for  the  Pegan  Indian  family. 


4  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

It  commands  a  view  of  some  twenty  villages.  From  its 
top  on  a  clear  day  Bunker  Hill  Monument  — a  slender 
gray  thread  against  the  blue  —  and  the  State  House  can 
be  seen  with  the  naked  eye,  while  Wachusett  and 
Monadnock  stand  out  in  prominence  at  the  northwest. 
Nestling  at  its  base  are  attractive  homes  and  fertile 
farms,  all  of  which  were  originally  conveyed  by  Indian 
titles. 

Strawberry  Hill,  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  so 
named  by  the  early  Dedham  settlers  on  account  of  the 
great  abundance  of  wild  strawberries  which  grew  there, 
covers  a  large  area,  and  rises  to  an  elevation  of  two 
hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  Charles  River,  which 
flows  at  its  base.  This  hill  furnishes  most  delightful 
views.  Fertile  farms  abound,  and  some  of  them  were 
among  the  first  settled  outside  of  the  village  of  Dedham. 

Miller  Hill  —  three  hundred  feet  —  is  very  accessi- 
ble ;  and  much  of  its  surface  is  easy  of  cultivation. 

Pine  Rock  Hill  —  four  hundred  and  forty-nine  feet  — 
rises  from  wooded  surroundings  to  a  greater  height  than 
any  other  elevation  in  this  section  of  the  country  except 
the  Blue  Hill  range,  six  hundred  and  thirty-five  feet, 
which  is  the  only  eminence  of  a  distinctively  mountain- 
ous character  on  the  Atlantic  sea-coast  line  south  of 
Maine. 

The  tourist  who  climbs  Pine  Rock  Hill  gains  a  view 
of  wide  extent,  and  under  favorable  circumstances  may 
discern  ships  at  sail  on  Massachusetts  Bay. 

Cedar    Hill  —  four   hundred  feet  —  and    Oak    Hill  — 
three  hundred  and   sixty  feet  —  in  the  southerly  part  of 
the   town,   furnish    three   varieties    of    granite   of    great 
strength  and  beauty.     The  court-house  at  Dedham,  one 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  ^ 

of  the  finest  in  the  country,  was  built  of  granite  quar- 
ried among  these  hills,  which  was  also  used  in  the  con- 
struction of  the  asylum  at  Medfield. 

Having  their  source  here  are  numerous  brooks,  which 
irrigate  fertile  meadows  and  furnish  a  never-failing  water 
supply. 

Big  Brook,  as  it  is  called  in  the  Dedham  records,  in 
the  grant  of  land  upon  its  borders,  is  the  largest  stream, 
and  flows  westward  into  Charles  River. 

Clay  Brook  was  so  named  because  the  early  Dedham 
settlers  dug  clay  in  the  vicinity,  which  was  used  in  the 
construction  of  their  dwellings. 

Mill  Brook  rises  in  Dedham,  flows  a  southerly  course, 
and  enters  Charles  River. 

Mill  Brook  (in  Medfield)  rises  in  Dover,  flows  south- 
erly, and  is  crossed  by  the  highway  near  the  Farm 
Street  station. 

Noanet  Brook  played  an  important  part  in  early  land 
transactions,  defining  bounds  of  grants  to  settlers,  and 
was  named  for  the  Indian  chief  Noanet. 

Trout  Brook,  in  the  center  of  the  town,  is  fed  by 
boiling  springs.  The  water  is  of  crystal  purity,  and 
abounds  in  the  beautiful  fish  for  which  the  brook  was 
named. 

Tubwreck  Brook,  which  rises  in  the  Great  Spring,  is 
the  northerly  source  of  the  Neponset  River.  Its  name 
celebrates  a  humorous  incident.  One  spring,  when  the 
brook  was  unusually  swollen,  Capt.  James  Tisdale 
attempted,  in  a  half  hogshead,  to  sail  down  the  stream, 
preparatory  to  gathering  flood  cranberries.  The  tub 
became  unmanageable  and  capsized.  Captain  Tisdale's 
friends  made  much  of  this  event.  A  quantity  of  ship- 


6  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

bread,  together  with  such  other  articles  as  might  be 
washed  ashore  from  the  wreck  of  a  merchant  ship,  were 
left  at  his  door ;  and  the  neighbors  gathered  in  large 
numbers,  and  celebrated  his  rescue  from  the  wreck. 
An  original  poem,  telling  this  story,  was  repeated  for 
many  years  around  Dover  firesides.  From  that  time 
the  stream  was  called  Tubwreck  Brook. 

Reserve  Pond,  near  the  Great  Spring,  originally  cov- 
ered some  twenty  acres  of  land.  It  stored  a  large 
quantity  of  water,  which  was  kept  in  reserve  to  supple- 
ment, whenever  needed,  the  main  stream  of  the  New 
Mill  corporation.  The  source  of  supply  for  their  pond 
is  so  evenly  balanced,  by  the  watershed  of  the  Neponset 
and  Charles  Rivers,  that  water  can  be  made  to  flow 
through  either  stream  into  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Great  Spring,  in  the  southeasterly  part  of  the  town, 
furnishes  a  never-failing  water  supply,  and  is  a  spring 
of  unusual  dimensions. 

Neponset  River,  which  has  its  northerly  source  in 
Dover,  was  named  for  the  Neponset  tribe  of  Indians. 
It  flows  easterly,  and  empties  into  Dorchester  Bay. 
Neponset  River  is  of  historic  interest,  as  the  first 
American  railroad,  built  in  1826,  extended  from  a 
granite  quarry  in  Ouincy  to  the  tidewater  of  the 
Neponset  River,  where  the  granite  was  loaded  into 
vessels  and  shipped  to  various  parts  of  the  country. 

Charles  River,  which  was  named  for  Prince  Charles 
of  England,  was  once  a  much  more  rapid  stream  than 
at  present.  In  1831  the  average  width  was  six  rods. 
Shad,  alewives,  and  other  species  of  fish,  that  have  since 
become  extinct,  were  once  common  in  its  waters. 

In   1785  it  was  proposed  by  several  towns  along  the 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  ^ 

stream  to  make  a  free  passage  for  these  fish  up  the 
river,  but  Dover  did  not  concur  with  other  towns  in 
this  measure. 

The  sluggishness  of  the  stream,  which  has  become 
more  and  more  marked,  was  noticeable  as  early  as  1 740  ; 
and  at  one  time  an  effort  was  made  to  clear  the  river 
of  weeds.  The  quality  of  the  meadow  grass,  which  was 
for  many  years  largely  blue-joint  and  fowl  grass,  has 
deteriorated  until  now  it  is  almost  worthless  for  feeding 
purposes. 

During  the  last  decade  malaria,  which  was  previously 
unknown  in  this  region,  has  made  its  appearance,  and  is 
doubtless  due  to  the  increased  acreage  of  low,  wet  land, 
caused  by  the  sluggishness  of  the  river. 

Dingle  Hole  Narrows  is  a  rocky  gorge  in  the  bed 
of  Charles  River,  between  Dover  and  Sherborn.  The 
place  has  picturesque  surroundings,  and  is  a  favorite 
resort  for  campers  out.  The  Boiling  Springs,  in  the 
center  of  the  town,  are  of  great  interest ;  and  the 
stranger  who  visits  them  for  the  first  time  is  almost 
certain  to  inquire  if  the  water  is  hot. 

Nim rod's  Rock,  a  granite  boulder  of  curious  forma- 
tion, may  have  received  its  name  from  the  mighty 
hunter  of  Bible  story. 

Charles  River  is  crossed  by  five  bridges,  all  of  which 
have  bedn  built  in  joint  ownership  with  adjoining  towns. 
These  bridges  all  bear  the  names  of  individuals  or  local- 
ities. Farm  Bridge  was  named  for  the  Dedham  posses- 
sions across  the  river  in  Sherborn,  known  for  many 
years  as  "The  Farms."  This  bridge  was  built  some 
time  in  1600,  and  was  possibly  standing  at  the  time  of 
King  Philip's  War.  Day's  Bridge  was  named  for  the 


HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Day  family,  who  were  among  the  early  settlers  in 
Dover.  Wight's  Bridge,  the  abutments  of  which  are 
still  standing,  was  built  by  Hezekiah  and  Leonard 
Morse,  of  Sherborn,  about  1820,  and  for  many  years 
was  used  by  the  people  in  the  neighborhood. 

Newell's  Bridge  at  Charles  River  Village  was  named 
for  Josiah  Newell,  the  founder  of  the  rolling-mills ; 
while  Fisher's  Bridge  on  Center  Street  was  named  for 
Mr.  Fisher,  a  prominent  resident  of  Needham.  Baker's 
Bridge  on  Dover  Street  received  its  name  in  honor  of 
Mr.  Baker,  of  Needham,  who  owned  a  large  estate  in 
the  vicinity. 

Henry  Goulding  built  a  pontoon  bridge  across 
Charles  River,  to  connect  his  farm  with  that  of  his 
brother  on  the  Sherborn  side.  This  bridge  was  used 
for  some  years,  but  was  taken  up  soon  after  the  death 
of  Mr.  Goulding,  in  1884. 

Our  well-maintained  highways  aggregate  some  thirty- 
four  miles  in  length,  extending  from  east  to  west  and 
from  north  to  south.  They  furnish  easy  means  of  com- 
munication with  different  sections  of  the  town  and 
surrounding  country ;  while  many  winding  and  shady 
streets  intersect  the  main  highways  at  different  points, 
and  furnish  favorite  drives  for  the  residents  of  this  and 
the  surrounding  towns. 

Stretching  across  the  parish  in  the  early  time  were 
two  highways,  both  leading  to  the  Indian  village  at 
Natick,  and  built  soon  after  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Eliot's 
enterprise  in  1650.  One  of  these  roads,  at  first  but  a 
bridle-path,  extended  from  Dedham  over  Strawberry 
Hill,  along  Clay  Brook  and  Charles  River.  Another 
road  commenced  at  Medfielcl,  and  wound  round  by 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  9 

Pegan  Hill  to  the  same  Indian  settlement.  The  name 
of  the  parish  is  significant,  and  appears  in  the  earliest 
transfers  of  real-estate. 

Near  the  center  of  the  parish  are  numerous  springs, 
which  boil  up  from  the  earth  —  a  pure  white  sand. 
These  springs  furnish  a  never-failing  water  supply,  warm 
in  winter  and  cold  in  summer.  It  is  estimated  by  com- 
petent judges  that  there  are  more  than  forty  never-fail- 
ing springs,  from  which  flows  a  constant  supply  of 
purest  water.  Nearly  all  the  buildings  in  the  vicinity 
of  Pegan  Hill  are  supplied  with  water  which  gushes 
out  from  the  hillsides.  Hence  the  name  "  Springfield," 
which  the  Dedham  settlers  so  soon  applied  to  the 
territory. 

Perhaps  no  part  of  the  original  territory  of  Dedham 
is  more  closely  associated  with  the  life  of  the  Indian 
than  this  parish.  At  least  three  tribes  of  Indians  occu- 
pied this  soil.  The  site  of  the  wigwam  of  the  Wisset 
tribe  seventy-five  years  ago  could  be  traced  near  the 
house  of  William  Neal  on  Hartford  Street.  The  Po- 
wisset  tribe  lived  in  the  vicinity  of  Bernhardt  Post's 
farm,  which  bears  their  name.  The  Pegan  tribe  owned 
and  occupied  Pegan  Hill  and  the  surrounding  country. 
Some  of  the  last  members  of  this  tribe  built  a  house 
which  was  located  on  the  Natick  side  of, -'.he  boundary 
line,  the  cellar  of  which  is  still  traceable.  Thomas 
Pegan  was  the  last  owner  of  this  house. 

Noanet  was  an  Indian  chief,  who  occupied  with  his 
fellows  the  land  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town.  He 
seems  to  have  lived  in  1664  on  the  north  side  of 
Charles  River,  as  the  Dedham  records  refer  to  the 
granting  of  land  to  Joseph  Kingsbury  in  the  following 


io  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

words:  "To  be  laid  out  upon  the  north  side  of  Charles 
River  over  against  Noannet's  [sic]  wigwam." 

We  gather  in  summer-time  flowers  planted  by  the 
hand  of  the  red  man,  and  it  is  not  many  years  since 
fields  could  be  traced  where  the  Indian  grew  his  maize. 
Stone  implements,  such  as  arrow-heads  and  pestles,  are 
found  on  the  plain-lands.  The  Indian  names  Pegan, 
Powisset,  Noanet,  are  given  to  hill  and  plain  and 
stream,  and  remain  in  memory  of  those  who  first  owned 
this  land.  Eliot  described  the  territory  south  of 
Charles  River  as  "a  peculiar  hunting-place"  of  the 
Indians. 

Long  years  after  the  land  had  been  occupied  by  the 
white  man,  in  the  beautiful  days  of  the  Indian  summer, 
red  men  made  long  pilgrimages  to  the  plain  of  Powis- 
set, where  they  visited  the  graves  of  their  fathers,  to  be 
there  inspired  with  new  strength  and  courage.  A  small 
remnant  of  Natick  Indians  remained  as  late  as  1835, 
who  roamed  over  town,  selling  baskets  and  begging, 
wherever  they  went,  a  drink  of  cider. 

Although  the  Indians  were  near  neighbors  to  the 
early  settlers,  it  is  believed  they  lived  in  peace  and 
harmony,  as  there  is  no  record  of  any  controversy  with 
them.  They  were  greatly  reduced  in  numbers  by  the 
ravages  of  small-pox  in  1633,  just  before  the  Dedham 
settlement,  and  were  never  again  numerous  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity.  Roaming  Indians,  however,  were  at 
first  a  frequent  menace  ;  and  a  fortification  was  built  in 
the.  westerly  part  of  the  town,  not  far  from  the  road 
leading  from  Medfield  to  Natick,  which  was  standing  at 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  It  was  made 
bullet-proof  by  layers  of  brick  between  the  outer  and 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  n 

inner  walls,  which  were  made  of  thick  white-oak  plank ; 
while  its  small  windows  helped  to  make  it  defensible. 

In  the  early  time  Hannah  Baker,  fearing  an  attack 
from  the  Indians,  fled  to  a  swamp  in  the  easterly  part 
of  the  town,  and  there  remained  during  the  night  with 
her  two  children. 

It  is  said  that  those  who  occupied  the  old  fortification 
heard  one  night  a  sound  like  the  noise  of  pigs  escaping 
from  the  sty.  The  first  impulse  was  to  rush  out ;  but 
upon  reflection  a  musket  was  taken  down,  and  fired  in 
the  direction  of  the  sty.  A  shriek  revealed  the  fact 
that  it  was  a  trick  of  the  wily  Indians  to  call  the  in- 
mates out.  The  next  morning  their  trail  was  traced 
for  some  distance  by  drops  of  blood  on  the  ground. 

Some  of  the  Indians  practised  the  healing  art ;  and 
Hannah  Dexter,  who  lived  on  the  west  side  of  Pegan 
Hill,  was  much  celebrated  as  an  Indian  doctor.  She 
possessed  much  skill  in  the  use  of  roots  and  herbs,  and 
English  people  often  came  long  distances  to  consult 
her.  The  flora  of  the  town  is  exceptionally  rich,  owing, 
doubtless,  to  the  great  diversity  of  soil.  An  additional 
reason  may  be  found  in  the  fact  that  the  territory  was 
so  long  occupied  by  Indians,  who  cultivated  a  large 
number  of  medicinal  plants. 

At  first  cattle,  and  especially  hogs,  were  allowed  to 
run  at  large  by  vote  of  the  inhabitants  ;  but  in  1 794 
the  people  seem  to  have  somewhat  tired  of  the  practice, 
and  at  their  March  meeting  voted  "  that  the  hogs  to  be 
shot  up."  In  the  early  settlement  of  the  territory  wild 
animals  were  a  real  danger,  and  several  places  are  still 
pointed  out  where  bears  were  killed.  Wild-cats  and 
wolves  inhabited  the  forests  for  many  years,  and  killed 


12  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

young  animals.  The  town  of  Uedham  paid  a  bounty  of 
ten  shillings  a  head  for  wolves  killed  by  the  inhabitants 
as  late  as  1716,  and  one  pound  a  head  for  all  wild-cats 
in  1734.  Rattlesnakes  were  troublesome  until  1764, 
and  are  still  found  among  the  ledges  of  Cedar  and 
Oak  Hills.  Dedham  at  one  time  paid  a  bounty  of  six 
pence  for  "  an  inch  and  a  halfe  of  the  end  of  a  rattle- 
snake's tail  with  the  rattle."  The  beaver  lived  here, 
and  a  spot  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town  is  known  as 
Beaver  Dam.  Within  the  memory  of  living  men  this 
dam  was  very  distinct  in  its  outline,  and  was  the  unmis- 
takable work  of  this  intelligent  and  cunning  animal. 
Otter  Brook,  which  has  its  source  in  Dover,  was  so 
named  because  the  otter  frequented  its  waters.  It  is 
related  of  Henry  Wilson  that  the  first  night  he  slept  in 
his  log  house  on  Strawberry  Hill  he  awoke  in  the  morn- 
ing to  see  a  wild-cat  looking  in  at  the  window. 

Dover,  in  its  situation,  pure  air,  pure  water,  and  cli- 
mate, modified  by  a  large  acreage  of  pine  wood-land,  is 
a  very  healthy  place  of  residence.  Exact  records  kept 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  during  his  residence  here  of 
forty  years  show  that  one  in  every  twenty-four  reached 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years  and  upwards.  Of  the 
three  hundred  and  fourteen  deaths  which  occurred  in 
the  first  forty  years  of  Mr.  Sanger's  ministry,  thirty-six 
were  infants  tinder  one  year,  forty-five  were  over  one 
year  of  age  and  under  ten,  twenty  were  between  ten 
and  twenty  years,  fifty-six  were  between  twenty  and 
fifty  years,  and  one  hundred  and  fifty-seven  were  be- 
tween fifty  and  ninety-eight  years.  Thirteen  were  above 
the  age  of  ninety,  two  were  ninety-five,  and  one  was 
ninety-eight. 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  13 

Dover,  with  its  varied  surface,  contains  eight  thousand 
seven  hundred  acres  of  land,  which  includes  several  hun- 
dred acres  of  waste  land  and  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  laid  out  in  roads. 

Although  this  has  always  been  an  agricultural  district, 
the  character  of  the  farming  has  greatly  changed  in  the 
last  quarter  of  a  century.  For  many  years  after  its 
settlement  the  people  were  largely  engaged  in  preparing 
ship-timber,  cutting  wood,  and  burning  charcoal,  all  of 
which  found  a  ready  sale  in  Boston.  This  business 
demanded  much  transportation,  and  men  were  con- 
stantly on  the  road  with  their  ox-teams.  Dover  Street 
in  Boston  was  named  for  this  town.  It  is  said  the 
name  was  given  to  this  particular  street  because  the 
Dover  farmers  "  put  up  "  over  night  at  a  tavern  located 
near  the  junction  of  Dover  and  Washington  Streets. 

In  the  cultivation  of  crops,  potatoes  were  not  at  first 
raised  as  human  food,  cereals  being  the  staples.  In 
England  the  potato  was  held  to  be  a  native  of  Virginia. 
Modern  opinion  holds  that  it  is  indigenous  to  some  parts 
of  South  America,  Mexico,  and  the  southwestern  United 
States,  and  that  it  was  brought  to  Virginia  by  the  early 
Spanish  explorers.  In  its  cultivation  the  potato  has 
been  greatly  improved  within  fifty  years  ;  and  the  big, 
mealy  potatoes  of  to-day  are  quite  different  from  the 
watery  tuber  of  our  grandfathers.  The  farming  to-day 
is  more  largely  devoted  to  the  production  of  milk  and 
to  market-gardening. 

Dover  was  the  seventh  town  whose  territory  was 
wholly  a  part  of  Dedham  to  be  set  off  from  the  mother 
town.  Its  bounds,  with  the  exception  of  a  slight  change 
made  in  the  line  between  Dover  and  Walpole  in  1872, 


14  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

are  the  same  as  those  defined  in  the  petition  of  the 
inhabitants  to  be  made  a  distinct  precinct  in  1728. 
These  bounds  are  as  follows  :  — 

Beginning  at  Bubbling  Brook  where  it  crosses  Medfield  road, 
and  thence  taking  in  the  lands  of  Samuel  Chickering,  and  from 
thence  to  the  westerly  end  of  Nathaniel  Richards's  house-lot,  and 
so  down  to  Charles  River,  with  all  the  lands  westerly  of  said  line. 

This  land  was  a  part  of  the  territory  owned  by  the 
Sachem  Wompituk  (whose  daughter  Chicatabut  mar- 
ried) and,  soon  after  the  landing  of  Winthrop,  sold  to 
William  Pyncham. 

The  territory  comprising  this  town  was  included  in 
the  grant  made  by  the  Crown  to  the  Massachusetts 
Bay  Colony  in  1628.  The  question  is  often  asked  why 
the  bounds  of  Natick  extended  across  Charles  River  to 
the  summit  of  Pegan  Hill  on  the  east.  When,  in  1650, 
the  Apostle  Eliot  commenced  his  Indian  settlement  at 
Natick,  he  laid  out  a  village  on  both  sides  of  Charles 
River,  which  was  fenced  and  planted  to  orchards  and 
cornfields.  The  village  was  stockaded,  with  two  long 
streets  on  either  side  of  the  river,  crossed  by  a  bridge 
which  the  Indians  built  themselves.  They  were  divided 
into  families  and  encouraged  to  live  in  separate  rooms. 
In  1651  Dedham  made  a  grant  to  Natick  of  two  thou- 
sand acres  on  the  north  side  of  Charles  River  on  the 
condition  that  "the  Indians  should  Lay  doune  all  other 
Clames  of  any  land  within  the  towne  bounds,  and  for- 
bere  setting  of  traps,  etc."  Nevertheless,  they  con- 
tinued to  improve  the  land  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river ;  and  when,  a  few  years  later,  operations  were 
begun  to  build  a  mill,  the  town  protested.  Mr.  Eliot 


OUTLINE    OF    THE    TOWN  15 

tried  to  satisfy  them  "  by  offering  forty  pounds'  worth  of 
boards  which  he  expected  to  cutt  at  his  mill,"  but  the 
town  would  not  accept  his  offer. 

Mr.  Eliot  desired  to  take,  as  a  part  of  the  grant  of  two 
thousand  acres,  land  on  the  south  side  of  Charles  River 
to  extend  as  far  as  the  brook.  This  the  town  of  Ded- 
ham  opposed,  as  the  land  "  was  the  fittest  place  to  turne 
of  horsses  and  loose  Cattell  that  the  Towne  had." 
These  difficulties  led  to  a  long  controversy.  The 
Indians  continued  to  improve  the  land  which  would 
now  be  included  in  the  territory  of  Dover  if  Charles 
River  formed  the  boundary  between  the  two  towns. 

Mr.  Eliot,  in  his  labors  to  furnish  the  means  of 
Christian  living  among  the  Indians,  was  strenuous  in 
his  efforts  for  the  permanent  establishment  of  the 
settlement  on  both  sides  of  Charles  River. 

After  some  years  Dedham  entered  a  suit  for  the 
recovery  of  the  land  or  satisfaction  in  five  hundred 
pounds  sterling.  A  compromise  was  finally  effected,  by 
which  the  Indians  retained  the  land,  and  Dedham  re- 
ceived a  grant  of  eight  thousand  acres  at  what  is  now 
Deerfield.  In  1797  the  territory  south  of  Charles 
River  was  annexed  to  Dover  for  parochial  purposes, 
under  the  following  article  in  the  warrant  :  "  To  see  if 
the  District  will  receive  the  inhabitants,  buildings,  and 
land  in  Natick,  lying  south  of  Charles  River,  agreeabje 
to  a  petition  in  the  hands  of  the  Selectmen."  In  the 
granting  of  this  petition  Elijah  Perry,  Enoch  Draper, 
William  Morse,  and  Asa  Bacon  were  set  to  Dover,  and 
remained  members  of  the  parish  for  many  years. 

Dover  has  a  population  of  six  hundred  and  sixty-eight. 
Until  recent  years  its  families  were  largely  descended 


1 6  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

from  native  stock.  In  its  date  of  incorporation,  July  7, 
1784,  Dover  ranks  as  the  two  hundred  and  fortieth 
town  in  the  Commonwealth. 

A  seal  was  adopted  by  the  town  April  30,  1894. 
Every  part  of  it  has  special  significance. 

The  central  figure  is  a  plain  two-story  meeting-house, 
without  chimney  or  steeple,  which  is  drawn  in  the  exact 
architectural  proportions  of  the  first  meeting-house. 
This  figure  is  made  prominent  because  the  desire  of 
the  early  inhabitants  to  worship  among  themselves  led 
to  the  incorporation  of  the  parish  and  final  separation 
from  the  town  of  Dedham. 

As  a  special  appropriation  was  made  for  the  purchase 
of  stone  steps  for  the  meeting-house,  they  appear  in 
the  design,  together  with  the  "horse-block,"  which  was 
so  indispensable,  as  late  as  1810,  that  it  was  retained 
by  the  parish  after  the  destruction  of  their  meeting- 
house and  the  purchase  of  a  new  parish  lot. 

The  schoolhouse,  erected  just  beside  the  meeting- 
house in  1 762,  and  used  for  many  years  as  a  "  noon 
house,"  is  shown  at  the  left,  with  smoke  rising  from  the 
chimney.  The  stream  of  water  represents  Trout  Brook, 
which  has  its  source  in  the  beautiful  boiling  springs,  and 
signifies  "  Springfield,"  the  name  given  to  this  territory 
by  the  early  Dedham  settlers. 

The  presence  of  Indians  in  the  seal  commemorates 
the  fact  that  this  was  once  their  stamping-ground, 
and  hill  and  plain  and  street  bear  to  this  day  Indian 
names. 

Only  a  part  of  the  noble  Pegan  Hill,  not  showing  its 
full  height,  appears  on  the  seal,  thus  indicating  that  it  is 
not  wholly  within  the  limits  of  the  town.  The  elevation 


OUTLJNE    OF    THE     TOWN  17 

at  the  left  represents  Pine  Rock  Hill,  which  has  an 
elevation  of  four  hundred  and  forty-nine  feet.  The 
leading  industry  of  the  people  is  characterized  by  the 
plough  and  sheaf  of  grain  resting  upon  the  shield. 

The  incorporated  name  of  the  town  appears  on  the 
outer  circle,  while  the  date  of  its  incorporation  is  borne 
on  the  scroll.  The  outer  circle  shows  the  evolution  of 
the  town  by  noting  separately  the  date  of  the  incor- 
poration of  the  parish  and  of  the  district. 

Mr.  Henry  E.  Woods  has  rendered  the  seal  in  the 
following  heraldic  language :  Upon  a  field  showing  on 
the  dexter  side  a  schoolhouse  and  brook,  and  on  the 
sinister  side  a  hill  and  Indians,  an  escutcheon  bearing : 
azure  on  a  mount  vert  a  meeting-house,  without  steeple, 
proper ;  crest,  a  plough  and  garb,  crosswise,  proper ; 
motto,  "Incorporated  1836,"  surrounded  by  a  circle 
inscribed  in  chief  "Town  of  Dover,"  and  in  base 
"Massachusetts,"  divided  on  the  dexter  side  by  "Parish 
1748  "  and  the  sinister  side  by  "  District  1784." 

The  streets  of  Dover  were  named  by  the  selectmen, 
and  accepted  by  the  town  in  1877.  The  names  of 
some  of  our  streets  should  be  changed  for  appropriate 
names  which  have  special  historical  significance.  Soon 
after  the  granting  of  land  in  1650  to  the  Natick  Indians, 
a  road  was  extended  from  Dedham  to  the  Indian  settle- 
ment. Along  this  road  where  it  skirts  Charles  River 
the  early  settlers  found  an  abundance  of  clay,  and  from 
time  immemorial  it  has  been  called  "  Clay  Brook  Road." 
In  the  naming  of  the  streets  this  exceedingly  appropriate 
name  was  dropped  for  "  Charles  River  Street,"  a  name 
which  Needham  has  given  to  a  parallel  street  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  Charles  River. 


1 8  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Early  in  the  history  of  Massachusetts  a  grant  of 
several  hundred  acres  of  land  was  made  in  what  is  now 
Sherborn,  and  was  called  "  The  Farms,"  hence  the  names 
Farm  Lake,  Farm  School,  Farm  Bridge.  Obviously, 
"  Farm  Street "  should  extend  from  Medfield  line  to  the 
center  of  Farm  Bridge  and  not  to  Springdale  Avenue. 

Willow  Street,  which  extends  from  Charles  River 
Village  to  Dedham  Street,  near  the  house  of  Cornelius 
Sullivan,  was  laid  out  in  February,  1802,  and  called  in 
the  records  "  Mill  Road  "  ;  while  the  present  Mill  Street 
was  built  in  1 797,  and  was  called  the  "  Old  Grant 
Road,"  because  of  the  right  of  highway  given  in  the 
conveyance. 

The  names  and  locations  of  the  streets  are  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

Farm  Street,  from  Medfield  line  to  Springdale  Park. 

Smith-  Street,  from  Farm  Street  to  F.  A.  Parmenter's. 

Bridge  Street,  from  Farm  Street  to  Sherborn  line. 

Wight  Street,  from  Farm  Street  to  McGill  Brothers'. 

Glen  Street,  from  Farm  Street  to  Natick  line. 

Main  Street,  from  Springdale  Park  to  Dover  Street. 

Center  Street,  from  Fisher's  Bridge  to  Medfield  line. 

Springdale  Avenue,  from  Springdale  Park  to  Center 
Street. 

County  Street,  between  Walpole  and  Dover. 

Walpole  Street,  from  Center  Street  to  County  Street. 

Pine  Street,  from  Center  Street  to  Medfield  line. 

Hartford  Street,  the  old  Hartford  turnpike. 

Powisset  Street,  from  Walpole  Street  to  Dedham  line. 

Dedham  Street,  from  Springdale  Avenue  to  Dedham, 
near  Day's  Bridge. 

Wilsondale  Street,  from  Strawberry  Hill  Street  to 
Dedham  line. 


OUTLfA7E    OF    THE    TOWN  19 

Strawberry  Hill  Street,  from  Dedham  Street  to  Lar- 
rabee  estate. 

Chestnut  Street,  from  Dedham  Street  to  Needham 
line. 

Willow  Street,  from  Dedham  Street  to  Newell's 
Bridge. 

Mill  Street,  from  Dedham  Street  to  Willow  Street. 

Cross  Street,  from  Dedham  Street  to  Center  Street. 

Charles  River  Street,  from  Center  Street  to  Natick 
line. 

Dover  Street,  from  Baker's  Bridge  to  Natick  line. 

Pleasant  Street,  from  Main  Street  to  Natick  line. 

Haven  Street,  from  Main  Street  to  Dedham  Street. 

Church  Street,  from  Haven  Street  to  Springdale 
Avenue. 

Pegan  Street,  from  Springdale  Park  to  M.  E.  Nawn's. 


CHAPTER    II. 

THE    BEGINNING   OF    PARISH    LIFE. 

FOURTH  PRECINCT  OF  DEDHAM —  CHARACTER  OF  THE  PEOPLE 
—  EARLY  SETTLERS  IN  DOVER — HENRY  WILSON  — 
THOMAS  BATTLE  —  NATHANIEL  CHICKERING  —  JAMES 
DRAPER  —  OLD  FORTIFICATION  —  FIRST  EFFORT  TO  HE 
MADE  A  PRECINCT  —  FIRST  TAX  LIST  —  PETITION  TO  THE 
GENERAL  COURT  AND  SIGNERS  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 
PRECINCT  AND  ELECTION  OF  OFFICERS. 

The  great,  eventful  Present  hides  the  Past ;  but  through  the  din 
Of  its  loud  life  hints  and  echoes  from  the  life  behind  steal  in ; 
And  the  lore  of  home  and  fireside,  and  the  legendary  rhyme, 
Make  the  task  of  duty  lighter  which  the  true  man  owes  his  time. 

—  WHITTIER. 

As  the  history  of  Dover  is  interwoven  with  the  his- 
tory of  Dedham,  it  is  most  difficult  to  give  with  cer- 
tainty much  that  one  desires  to  know  about  the  early 
settlement  and  life  of  the  people  of  this  town.  In  its 
incorporate  capacity  it  was  styled  the  Fourth  Precinct 
of  Dedham  ;  but  with  the  organization  of  the  church  it 
became  the  Fourth,  or  Springfield,  Parish.  The  pro- 
genitors of  most  of  the  early  Dover  families  were  among 
the  first  settlers  in  Dedham  ;  and  we  proudly  claim  the 
history  of  the  mother  town  as  a  part  of  our  own  history, 
in  ecclesiastical  affairs  previous  to  1729  and  in  all  town 
affairs  before  1784. 

"The  first  settlers  of  Dedham  were  a  remarkable  col- 
lection of  people.  Tradition  brings  down  a  high  char- 
acter attached  to  most  of  the  names  found  on  its  early 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    PARISH   LIFE  21 

records,  and  their  public  and  private  acts  fully  confirm 
it.  Orderly  and  industrious  in  their  habits,  they  al- 
lowed no  one  to  remain  in  their  community  who  was 
not  engaged  in  some  regular  occupation.  Any  violation 
of  rules  was  followed  by  a  penalty,  yet  the  most  exact 
strictness  was  accompanied  by  equally  unfailing  loving- 
kindness.  Liberal  were  they  towards  each  other  and 
their  neighbors,  and  public-spirited,  too.  Thrifty  were 
they,  husbanding  both  public  and  private  resources  with 
great  economy  and  industry.  Above  all,  they  pursued 
a  liberal  and  enlightened  policy  in  matters  of  religion. 
In  such  a  sound  and  sensible  community  we  find,  as 
might  be  expected,  no  persecution,  no  witches,  no  super- 
natural occurrences.  The  plantation  went  on  regularly, 
advancing  in  population  and  wealth."  There  is,  how- 
ever, much  of  interest  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Spring- 
field Parish  that  can  never  be  given  in  the  history  of 
Dedham.  It  is  found  in  the  record  of  the  faithful  lives, 
the  labors,  the  fortitude,  and  the  patriotism  of  those 
who  settled  here  and  made  for  themselves  and  their 
posterity  a  home,  a  school,  a  church,  and  cleared  the 
farms  that,  in  not  a  few  instances,  have  now  been  tilled 
by  descendants  for  more  than  two  centuries.  Owing  to 
the  danger  of  attacks  from  Indians,  it  is  generally  held 
that  settlements  were  not  made  outside  of  the  village  of 
Dedham  previous  to  King  Philip's  War.  The  fact  that 
the  town  voted  in  1682  that  none  should  move  to  a 
greater  distance  than  two  miles  from  the  meeting-house 
without  a  special  license  indicates  that  some  of  the  in- 
habitants had  done  so.  The  colonial  law  that  all  should 
build  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  meeting-house 
early  became  obsolete,  as  such  close  proximity  to  one 


22  HISTORY    OF    DOl'ER 

another  was  not  favorable  to  agricultural  pursuits. 
Water  must  be  had  in  good  supply,  pasturage  for  cat- 
tle, and  an  abundance  of  firewood.  To  gain  these 
requisites  it  is  believed  that  settlements  were  made 
outside  of  the  village  of  Dedham.  Dover  was  not 
generally  settled,  however,  until  early  in  1700,  although 
settlements  were  made  in  different  parts  of  the  territory 
much  earlier.  In  many  instances  there  seem  to  have 
been  no  instruments  of  conveyance,  and  consequently 
no  records  were  made. 

Henry  Wilson,  who  came  from  Kent,  England,  and 
settled  in  Dedham  in  1640,  was  granted  land  with  other 
settlers,  but  never  built  upon  it.  It  is  believed  that  he 
immediately  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  his 
lineal  descendant,  Kphraim  Wilson,  in  the  easterly  part 
of  the  town,  near  the  Dedham  line.  He  was  the  first 
settler  within  the  limits  of  Dover.  His  house  was  on 
the  path  which  led  to  the  common  pasture-grounds  in 
the  vicinity  of  Powisset.  He  married,  and  brought  his 
wife  to  the  settlement  ;  and  here  their  first  child, 
Michael  Wilson,  was  born  in  1644. 

Thomas  Battle  was  probably  the  first  settler  west  of 
Strawberry  Hill.  He  had  acquired  land  in  the  westerly 
part  of  Dedham  either  by  grant  or  purchase,  as  in  1681 
he  sokl  to  James  Draper  eighty-four  acres  of  land  near 
Medfield.  In  1683  Thomas  Battle  had  a  grant  of  "  10 
acres  i  rood  of  land  on  ye  west  side  of  Great  Brook." 
It  has  long  been  a  tradition  that  the  first  settlement 
west  of  Strawberry  Hill  was  made  by  Mr.  Battle  on  the 
Clay  Brook  Road.  The  site  of  his  house  is  still  pointed 
out  near  tlYe  picnic  grounds  of  B.  X.  Sawin,  not  far  from 
the  Natick  line.  He  had  another  grant  (1^87-95), 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    PARISH    LIFE  23 

which  is  very  definite,  and  locates  his  previous  grant,  as 
follows  :  "  Granted  to  Thomas  Battle  half  an  acre  of 
upland  and  meadow  bottom  as  it  lieth  his  own  land  near 
the  Great  Brook,  near  Natick,  bounded  by  his  own  land 
southeast  the  way  to  the  brook,  and  by  the  brook  in  all 
other  parts."  Thomas  Battle  was  one  of  the  selectmen 
of  Dedham,  and  associated  on  the  board  with  Nathaniel 
Chickering,  who  settled  here  in  1694.  Nathaniel  Chick- 
ering  was  born  in  1647.  He  came  to  this  country  from 
Wrentham,  England,  where  his  mother  lived  in  1681. 
He  settled  in  Dover  in  1694,  having  gained  through 
grants  and  purchase  a  thousand  acres  of  land,  which 
extended  from  the  Clay  Brook  Road  southward  includ- 
ing Powisset  and  eastward  as  far  as  the  farm  now- 
owned  by  Charles  J.  Spear. 

He  built  a  house  on  the  site  of  the  homestead  now  oc- 
cupied by  George  Ellis  Chickering.  He  died  in  1694, 
and  did  not  occupy  the  house  with  his  family  ;  but  it 
was  taken  possession  of  by  his  widow  and  his  children. 

James  Draper,  of  Roxbury,  purchased  land  of  Thomas 
Battle  in  1682,  which  was  bounded  "on  the  north  by 
Natick  and  on  the  south  by  Medfield."  This  was  the 
original  Draper  place  in  Dover,  and  was  occupied  by 
John,  son  of  James  Draper,  who  took  a  wife  in  J.6JM5, 
and  probably  settled  here  at  that  time.  Medfield,  which 
was  settled  in  1650,  had  a  road  which  led  from  Med- 
field to  Dedham.  This  highway  was  extended  north- 
ward, and  was  continued  across  the  Dover  territory  as 
far  as  the  Indian  village  at  South  Natick.  Settlements 
were  soon  made  in  Medfield  on  this  road.  The  Allen 
farm  was  settled  in  1673  ;  and  about  1657  Daniel 
Morse,  of  Medfield,  went  still  farther  and  purchased  a 


24  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

tract  of  eight  hundred  acres  of  land  across  Charles  River, 
in  what  is  now  Sherborn,  and  settled  there  in  1658 
with  his  family.  The  site  of  the  homestead  was  about 
half  a  mile  west  of  Farm  Bridge. 

Not  far  from  the  Natick  road,  on  the  high  land  over- 
looking Charles  River,  south  of  Farm  Bridge,  was  built 
the  old  fortification  already  referred  to.  It  is  supposed 
to  have  been  built  at  an  early  time,  as  settlements  had 
been  made  in  the  vicinity,  both  in  Medfield  and  Sher- 
born. The  fortification  was  removed  by  the  writer's 
grandfather  early  in  1800,  but  its  history  is  not  known. 
About  1725  there  was  a  general  feeling  among  those 
who  had  settled  at  a  distance  from  the  center  of  the 
town  that  they  should  be  freed  from  the  minister  tax  at 
Dedham  and  allowed  to  build  meeting-houses  of  their 
own,  where  they  could  more  conveniently  worship.  This 
spirit  is  seen  in  the  petition  of  the  inhabitants  of  Clap- 
boardtrees  Parish  (West  Dedham)  in  1721  and  that  of 
Tiot  (Norwood)  in  1726  to  be  made  precincts. 

A  feeling  of  discontent  manifested  itself  in  the  west- 
erly part  of  Dedham  (Springfield)  in  1728,  when,  on 
the  3d  of  March,  the  inhabitants  petitioned  "that  they 
and  their  estates  might  be  set  off  into  a  distinct  pre- 
cinct." This  request  was  granted  by  the  town  Novem- 
ber 9,  1729. 

Having  been  made  a  precinct  by  the  town,  it  was 
their  ambition  to  be  made  a  distinct  precinct  by  the 
General  Court,  that  they  might  be  freed  from  the  minis- 
terial tax  at  Dedham  and  be  vested  with  greater  powers 
and  privileges.  A  petition,  headed  by  Jonathan  Battle, 
was  presented  to  the  General  Court  November  19, 
1729,  asking  to  be  made  a  distinct  precinct  by  that 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    PARISH    LIFE  25 

body.  This  request  was  referred  to  a  committee,  who 
reported  December  2,  1729,  that  they  and  their  estate 
be  freed  from  paying  the  minister  rate  in  Dedham,  and 
that  Samuel  Chickering  and  twelve  others  should  attend 
the  church  in  Medfield,  Ralph  Day  and  four  others 
the  church  at  Needham,  and  Eleazer  Ellis  and  thirteen 
others  the  church  at  Natick.  This  report  was  accepted 
by  the  General  Court,  and  they  were  ordered  to  pay 
their  ministerial  tax  to  the  several  ministers  of  the 
other  towns  where  they  attended  public  worship  ;  and 
this  they  continued  to  do  for  many  years. 

This  was  the  first  step  in  the  evolution  of  the  town  of 
Dover  towards  the  permanent  establishment  of  a  govern- 
ment at  home,  where  the  people  could  carry  out  among 
themselves  the  true  New  England  spirit,  in  the  main- 
tenance of  the  church,  the  school,  and  the  town  meet- 
ing in  the  midst  of  their  homes.  These  institutions 
formed  for  many  years  "  the  whole  of  life,  with  its  duties, 
its  training,  its  pleasures,  and  its  hopes." 

Nathaniel  Chickering  became  a  deacon  in  the  church 
at  South  Natick,  Joshua  Ellis  at  Needham,  while  Na- 
thaniel Wilson  held  the  same  office  in  the  church  at 
Dedham.  Neither  the  petition  to  the  town  of  Dedham 
nor  that  made  to  the  General  Court  has  been  preserved, 
consequently  it  is  impossible  to  give  a  complete  list  of 
early  inhabitants  ;  but  it  is  evident  from  the  apportion- 
ment made  by  the  General  Court  that  there  were  thirty- 
three  l  families  in  1729.  Fortunately  we  have  the  first 
tax-list  of  the  Springfield  Precinct,  which  was  made 
in  May,  1732,  the  names  on  it  probably  not  differing 
very  much  from  those  signed  to  the  petition  four  years 

1  The  Wilson  family  attended  church  at  Dedham. 


26 


HISTORY    OF   DOVER 


previous  to  be  made  a  precirict,  except  it  may  contain 
the  names  of  some  non-residents.  The  tax-list  is  as 
follows  :  — 


Aaron  Allen. 
Benjamin  Allen. 
Eleazer  Allen. 
Hezekiah  Allen. 
Moses  Allen. 
Jonathan  Battle. 
Jonathan  Battle,  Jr. 
Nathaniel  Battle. 
Widow  Battle. 
John  Bacon. 
Michael  Bacon. 
John  Bullard. 
Jonathan  Bullard. 
Jonathan  Ellis. 
James  Ellis. 
John  Fisher. 
Joshua  Fisher. 


Widow  Jonathan  Gay. 
Abraham  Harding. 
Ebenezer  Knapp. 
Samuel  Leach. 
Joseph  Merrifield. 
Nathaniel  Bullard. 
John  Bullin. 
Eliphalet  Chickering. 
Nathaniel  Chickering. 
Samuel  Chickering. 
John  Draper. 
John  Draper.  Jr. 
Joseph  Draper. 
Ralph  Day. 
Benjamin  Ellis. 
Caleb  Ellis. 
Eleazer  Ellis. 


Thomas  Mason. 
David  Morse. 
Nathaniel  Morse. 
Mattis  Ockinson. 
Jonathan  Plimpton. 
Ebenezer  Robinson. 
John  Rice. 
Ephraim  Ware,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Whiting. 
David  Wight. 
Ebenezer  Mason. 
Jonathan  Mason. 
Seth  Mason. 
Seth  Mason,  Jr. 
Ephraim  Wight. 
Samuel  Wight. 
Nathaniel  Wilson. 


For  twenty  years  the  people  were  content  to  worship 
in  other  towns,  but  it  was  the  earnest  desire  of  most  of 
them  to  have  a  meeting-house  of  their  own  and  to  settle 
a  minister. 

In  1/47  the  residents  renewed  their  appeal  to  the 
General  Court  to  be  made  a  distinct  precinct,  but  their 
efforts  met  with  opposition  from  some  of  those  who 
attended  church  at  Med field  and  South  Natick.  The 
following  persons  persisted  in  their  opposition,  and  sent 
a  petition  in  remonstrance  to  the  General  Court  in 
April,  1748:  Michael  Bacon,  Nathaniel  Battle,  Kleazer 
Allen,  Aaron  Allen,  Josiah  Fisher,  Fphraim  Bacon, 
John  Jones,  Eleazer  Allen,  Jr.,  and  Timothy  Guy. 


THE    BEGINNING    OF    PARISH   LIFE  27 

Later  in  the  year  1 748,  having  won  some  over  from 
the  opposition,  they  renewed  their  appeal  to  the  General 
Court  in  the  following  petition  :  — 

To  his  Excellency,  William  Shirley,  Esq.,  General  and  Governor- 
in-chief  in  and  over  his  Majesty's  Province  of  Massachusetts 
Bay  in  New  England;  to  the  Honorable  his  Majesty's  Coun- 
cil and  House  of  Representatives,  now  sitting,  April  5,  1 748  : 

The  petition  of  the  westerly  part  of  Dedham  humbly  showeth 
That,  whereas  your  petitioners  presented  a  petition  at  a  legal 
town  meeting  in  Dedham,  March  3,  1728,  praying  that  we  and 
our  estates  might  be  set  off  into  a  distinct  precinct  with  the  fol- 
lowing bounds, —  namely,  beginning  at  Bubbling  Brook,  where  it 
crosses  Medfield  road,  and  from  thence  taking  in  the  lands  of 
Samuel  Chickering,  and  from  thence  to  the  westerly  end  of  Na- 
thaniel Richards's  house  lot  and  so  down  to  Charles  River,  with 
all  the  lands  and  inhabitants  westerly  of  said  line,  which  was 
granted  and  voted  at  said  meeting  November  19,  1729, — 

We  presented  a  petition  to  the  Great  and  General  Court,  pray- 
ing to  be  set  off  and  be  made  a  distinct  precinct  with  the  above 
mentioned  bounds.  Said  petition  was  committed  to  a  committee, 
who  reported  that  we  with  our  estates  should  be  freed  from  pay- 
ing to  the  minister  rate  of  Dedham  during  the  pleasure  of  the 
Honorable  Court,  and  ordered  us  to  pay  our  ministerial  taxes  to 
the  several  ministers  of  the  other  towns  where  we  attended  public- 
worship.  And  said  report  was  accepted  by  said  Court,  and  we 
have  to  this  day  cheerfully  and  thankfully  complied  therewith. 
But.  being  sensible  of  the  great  difficulty  we  labor  under  in 
attending  public  worship  in  the  respective  places  where  we  have 
enjoyed  the  same  these  many  years,  and  considering  with  what 
ease  and  comfort  we  can  meet  together  among  ourselves,  pro- 
vided we  were  vested  with  parish  privileges,  we,  thinking  ourselves 
through  the  divine  blessing  in  some  good  measure  able  to  build 
a  meeting-house  and  support  a  minister,  we  therefore  humbly  pray 
your  Excellency  and  Honors  to  take  our  case  into  your  wise  con- 
sideration and  free  us  from  any  further  charge  in  those  places 
where  we  were  ordered  to  pay,  and  grant  that  the  lands  and  in- 


28 


HISTORY    OF   DOVER 


habitants  to  the  westward  of  the  above  mentioned  line  in  Ded- 
ham  be  set  off  into  a  distinct  precinct ;    and  your  petitioners,  as  in 
duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 
(Signed} 


SAMUEL  METCALF. 
JOSHUA  ELLIS. 
HEZEKIAH  ALLEN,  Jr. 
EBENEZER  NEWELL. 
THOMAS  MERRIFIELD. 
JONATHAN  BATTLE. 
RALPH   DAY. 
JOHN   DRAPER. 
SAMUEL  CHICKERING. 
JOSIAH   ELLIS. 
JONATHAN   DAY. 
NATHANIEL  WILSON. 
EZRA  GAY. 
TIMOTHY   ELLIS. 
THOMAS  BATTLE. 
JONATHAN  BULLARD. 
THOMAS   RICHARDS. 

DKDHAM,  March  30,  1748. 


SETH   MASON. 
JOSEPH  CHICKERING. 
ELIPHALET  CHICKERING. 
JABEZ  WOOD. 
OLIVER   BACON. 
JOHN  BACON. 
JOSEPH  DRAPER. 
BENJAMIN  ELLIS. 
DAVID  WIGHT. 
JOHN  CHENEY. 
JOHN  CHICKERING. 
JOHN   BATTLE. 
JOSIAH   RICHARDS. 
JONATHAN  WHITING. 
DANIEL  CHICKKRING. 
JOHN  GRIGGS. 
ABRAHAM    CHAMHERLAIN. 


This  petition  was  presented  to  the  General  Court 
April  5,  1748,  and  was  granted  November  18,  1748, 
giving  the  powers  and  privileges  which  precincts  could 
enjoy.  The  first  precinct  meeting  was  held  in  the 
schoolhouse  January  4,  1749,  to  elect  a  clerk  and 
precinct  committee  to  call  parish  meetings.  Joshua 
Ellis  was  chosen  moderator,  also  precinct  clerk.  The 
following  precinct  committee  was  chosen  :  Joshua  Ellis, 
Joseph  Chickering,  Joseph  Draper,  Samuel  Chickering, 
and  Samuel  Metcalf.  At  a  meeting  held  March  15, 
i  749,  Jonathan  Whiting  was  chosen  precinct  treasurer. 
This  was  the  first  Dover  March  meeting,  an  institution 
which  has  come  down  unbroken  to  the  present  time. 


CHAPTER    III. 

BUILDING    THE    MEETING-HOUSE. 

BUILDING  COMMITTEE  —  DIMENSIONS  OF  THE  MEETING-HOUSE 
—  SITE  —  COMMITTEE  ox  THE  SITE  —  REPORT  OF  THK 
COMMITTEE  —  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  ACCEPTED  SITE  — 
MEETING-HOUSE.  WHEN  RAISED  —  DEDICATION  —  COM- 
MITTEE ON  SEATING  THE  MEETING-HOUSE  —  SEATS  FOR 
YOUNG  MEN.  YOUNG  WOMEN.  BOYS  —  SEATS,  HOW 
DIGNIFIED. 

The  groves  were  God's  first  temples.     Ere  man  learned 

To  hew  the  shaft  and  lay  the  architrave 

And  spread  the  roof  above  them,  ere  he  framed 

The  lofty  vault,  to  gather  and  roll  back 

The  sound  of  anthems,  in  the  darkling  wood, 

Amid  the  cool  and  silence,  he  knelt  down 

And  offered  to  the  Mightiest  solemn  thanks 

And  supplication. 

—  I!KY.\NT. 

At  the  precinct-meeting  held  March  15,  1749,  the 
following  committee  was  chosen  to  prepare  timber  for 
a  meeting-house  :  Capt.  Hezekiah  Allen,  Joseph  Draper, 
Samuel  Metcalf,  Daniel  Chickering,  and  Jonathan  Day. 
The  chairman,  Captain  Allen,  was  a  carpenter  by  trade. 
The  committee  were  instructed  to  build  a  meeting-house 
"  forty-two  feet  long,  thirty-four  feet  wide,  and  twenty 
feet  high  from  the  top  of  ye  eel  to  ye  top  of  y°  plate  "  ; 
and  when  completed  it  was  a  building  of  the  plainest 
style  of  Puritan  architecture,  without  steeple,  chimney, 
or  ornamentation,  and  "  no  church-bell  lent  its  Christian 
tone."  It  was  always  called  "the  meeting-house"  ;  for 
this  plain  people,  like  Cotton  Mather,  "found  no  just 


30  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

ground  in  Scripture  to  apply  such  a  trope  as  church 
to  a  house  for  public  assembly."  The  work  of  building 
was  retarded  on  account  of  much  wrangling  over  a 
site.  From  the  very  first  there  was  a  difference  of 
opinion  as  to  the  best  location  for  the  new  meeting- 
house ;  and,  previous  to  the  first  precinct  meeting  called 
to  consider  the  subject,  a  majority  of  the  voters  signed 
a  statement,  under  date  of  March  7,  1747-48,  favoring 
the  appointment  of  an  impartial  committee  from  other 
towns,  who  should  be  invited  to  select  a  site  for  the 
meeting-house.  An  early  survey  of  the  territory  was 
made  by  vote  of  the  precinct,  to  ascertain  the  exact 
center  of  the  parish. 

The  plan  of  the  survey  was  not  preserved  ;  but  it 
was  made  within  the  present  limits  of  the  town,  which 
have  been  but  slightly  changed  since  the  establish- 
ment of  bounds  by  the  General  Court  in  1729.  There 
was  a  strong  feeling  against  locating  the  meeting- 
house in  the  exact  center  of  the  precinct  ;  and,  with 
an  apparent  desire  to  conciliate  all  parties,  the  par- 
ish very  early  voted  not  to  build  in  the  center  of 
the  precinct  from,  its  extreme  points.  At  a  precinct- 
meeting  March  24,  1748-49,  an  effort  was  made  to 
select  a  site  for  the  meeting-house.  Two  propositions 
were  made, —  one  to  build  on  the  hill  near  Morse's 
swamp  (supposed  to  be  near  the  house  of  Joseph 
Chickering),  and  the  other  on  the  hill  south  of  John 
Battle's,  which  would  be  near  the  present  site  of  the 
Baptist  chapel. 

The  meeting  was  adjourned  in  the  morning,  in  order 
to  give  the  voters  an  opportunity  to  view  the  two  sites  ; 
and,  reassembling  in  the  afternoon,  a  motion  was  made 


BUILDING     THE    MEETING-HOUSE  31 

to  build  on  the  hill  south  of  Mr.  Battle's.  The  vote, 
by  instruction  of  the  moderator,  was  counted  by  the 
poll,  and  resulted  in  a  tie  vote. 

The  precinct  then  voted  to  leave  the  selection  of  the 
ske  to  the  following  committee,  all  of  whom  were  resi- 
dents of  other  towns  :  Thomas  Greenwood,  Esq.,  New- 
ton, chairman  ;  Capt.  Joseph  Williams,  Roxbury  ;  Dea. 
Joseph  Hewins,  Stoughton ;  Capt.  Elkanah  Billings, 
Dorchester ;  Capt.  Joseph  Ware,  Sherborn.  The  ex- 
treme carefulness  of  the  people  and  their  desire  to  have 
the  question  intelligently  considered  and  judiciously  set- 
tled is  shown  in  the  selection  of  the  committee,  which 
was  made  up  of  men  distinguished  for  character  and 
ability  in  the  whole  region  around. 

Thomas  Greenwood,  Esq.,  was  made  chairman  by  the 
precinct.  Mr.  Greenwood  was  a  man  of  much  promi- 
nence in  Newton,  which  he  represented  in  the  General 
Court  for  thirteen  years,  and_was  town-clerk  for  twenty- 
three  years,  besides  holding  many  other  offices  and 
positions  of  honor  and  responsibility. 

Capt.  Joseph  Williams  was  a  prominent  man  of  his 
time,  and  was  much  noted  and  esteemed  by  the  citizens 
of  Roxbury. 

Capt.  Joseph  Ware  was  the  founder  of  the  Ware 
family  in  Sherborn,  and  was  a  man  very  active  in  town 
affairs,  being  a  member  of  the  board  of  selectmen  for 
many  years.  One  acquainted  with  the  men  of  Sher- 
born says,  "  He  should  be  long  and  gratefully  remem- 
bered as  one  of  the  most  exemplary  and  useful  citizens 
Sherborn  has  ever  had." 

Dea.  Joseph  Hewins,  of  Stoughton,  now  Sharon, 
was  a  leading  citizen  of  that  town,  being  town-clerk, 


32  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

treasurer,  and  selectman  for  many  years.  He  was 
deacon  of  the  Second  Church,  a  magistrate  from  the 
incorporation  of  the  town,  and  empowered  by  the  Gen- 
eral Court  to  issue  his  warrant  for  the  first  Sharon 
town-meeting. 

Capt.  Elkanah  Billings  was  a  prominent  man,  and 
was  born  and  lived  in  that  part  of  Dorchester  which 
afterwards  became  Sharon. 

The  following  residents  of  the  precinct  were  chosen 
to  wait  on  the  committee  and  present  the  facts  and 
arguments  of  contending  parties :  Capt.  Hezekiah 
Allen,  John  Jones,  Samuel  Chickering,  Joshua  Ellis, 
John  Battle,  and  Benjamin  Ellis.  The  committee  met 
on  the  6th  of  April,  1 749,  and,  after  viewing  the  differ- 
ent localities  and  holding  a  deliberative  meeting,  unani- 
mously voted  to  recommend  as  a  site  the  hill  east  of 
Trout  Brook. 

After  much  debate  this  report  was  accepted  by  the 
precinct,  and  the  building  committee  was  instructed  to 
proceed  with  the  building  of  the  new  meeting-house 
on  the  spot  recommended  by  the  committee.  But  the 
acceptance  of  the  site  did  not  end  the  matter,  as  a 
majority  of  the  residents  felt  that  a  different  spot 
should  have  been  selected.  At  a  precinct-meeting  held 
February  8,  1/49-50,  it  was  voted  to  invite  the  com- 
mittee chosen  to  select  the  site  for  the  meeting-house 
to  take  the  matter  again  under  consideration. 

They  had  the  good  sense  to  vote  at  this  time  "  that 
the  place  or  spot  of  ground  that  the  said  committee 
pitch  upon  for  our  meeting-house  shall  be  ye  place  for 
said  house  to  be  built."  And,  as  ending  the  difficulty 
which  had  been  to  this  scattered  people  a  very  severe 


BUILDING    THE    MEETING-HOUSE  33 

one,  we  give  the  second  report  of  this  committee,  which, 
like  the  first,  was  unanimous. 

DEDHAM,  February  17,  1749-50. 

We,  the  subscribers,  being  met  pursuant  to  the  desire  of  ye 
West  Precinct  in  said  Dedham,  and  having  reviewed  several 
spots  of  ground  prepared  and  shown  by  the  inhabitants  of  said 
precinct  as  the  place  most  suitable  to  build  their  intended  meet- 
ing-house upon,  agreeable  to  vote  of  said  precinct  made  February 
8,  1 749-50,  and  after  a  full  hearing  of  the  several  persons  and 
parties  interested  in  and  inhabitants  of  said  precinct,  they  agree 
and  determine  as  follows,  namely :  We  are  of  the  opinion  that 
the  same  spot  of  ground  that  was  formerly  pitched  upon,  and  re- 
ported unto  by  us,  is  the  most  suitable  and  convenient  place  for 
said  house  to  be  built  upon,  all  the  circumstances  being  consid- 
ered. All  of  which  is  humbly  subscribed  and  determined  by  us, 
day  and  year  first  above  mentioned. 

The  building  committee  was  instructed  to  proceed 
forthwith  to  build  on  the  spot  selected  by  the  commit- 
tee. The  lot  selected  for  the  meeting-house  was  of  a 
triangular  form,  containing  about  an  acre  of  land.  The 
black  oak  tree,  which  stood  near  the  Orthodox  church 
until  it  was  blown  clown  in  1893,  was  the  northern 
corner  of  this  triangle  ;  and,  as  the  only  landmark  re- 
maining, it  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  it  has  been 
removed. 

"  What  landmark  so  congenial  as  a  tree, 
Repeating  its  green  legend  every  spring, 

And  with  a  yearly  ring 
Recording  the  fair  seasons  as  they  flee, — 

Type  of  our  brief  but  still  renewed  mortality  ?  " 

The  meeting-house  was  placed  on  the  line  towards 
the  west,  facing  north.  The  land  was  probably  donated 
to  the  parish.  There  is  no  record  of  a  purchase,  al- 


34  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

though  a  committee  was  chosen,  which  was  authorized 
to  buy  a  site  if  necessary. 

The  church  was  raised  August  30,  1750  ;  and,  as  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Townsend,  of  Needham,  records  this  fact,  he 
probably  conducted  the  public  exercises. 

The  work  of  building  the  meeting-house  went  on  but 
slowly.  The  people  were  poor,  and  did  not  build  their 
meeting-house  with  one  appropriation  or  by  contract, 
but  by  the  labor  of  farmers  busy  with  their  work  of 
planting  or  harvesting.  This  work  was  taken  up  when 
no  farm  work  was  pressing.  There  was  no  matured 
plan,  and  the  minutest  particulars  in  reference  to  the 
arrangement  of  the  building  were  made  by  a  vote  of  the 
precinct.  Thus,  in  1757,  it  was  voted  to  have  "an  alley 
left  in  ye  meeting-house  from  ye  front  doors  to  ye  pulpit. " 

The  building  was  not  lathed  and  plastered  until  the 
spring  of  1758. 

Although  the  meeting-house  was  not  fully  finished 
until  'seven  years  afterwards,  it  was  dedicated  in  the 
month  of  December,  1754.  The  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Townsend,  of  Needham,  from  the 
words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  The  Lord  loveth  the  gates  of 
Zion  more  than  all  the  dwellings  of  Jacob." 

The  aristocracy  of  the  colonial  life  of  New  England 
was  most  fully  manifested  within  the  walls  of  the  meet- 
ing-house in  seating  all  of  the  inhabitants  in  accordance 
with  their  rank  and  position.  The  attention  of  the  best 
citizens  was  directed  to  the  definite  arrangement  of  the 
congregation,  and  their  best  efforts  often  failed  to  sat- 
isfy the  people.  The  social  welfare  of  the  parish  was 
often  disturbed  by  differences  about  apportionment  of 
seats  in  the  meeting-house. 


BUILDING    THE    MEETING-HOUSE  35 

Seats  were  erected  on  the  first  floor  in  1758,  which 
were  at  first  but  rude  benches.  Some  of  the  influential 
families,  however,  occupied  chairs  ;  but,  as  time  went  on 
and  the  people  became  able  to  complete  their  meeting- 
house, pews  were  built  by  the  parish,  and  permission 
was  given  to  'prominent  individuals  to  build  others  at 
their  own  expense,  to  be  enjoyed  by  them  until  reim- 
bursed by  the  parish. 

The  pews  were  very  large,  and  square  in  form  ;  and 
by  vote  of  the  parish  none  were  to  be  occupied  by  less 
than  three  families,  and  some  were  large  enough  to  ac- 
commodate more.  As  there  were  seats  on  three  sides, 
two-thirds  of  the  occupants  did  not  face  the  minister. 
King's  Chapel,  in  Boston,  which  was  built  the  year  that 
the  Dover  church  was  organized,  illustrates  at  present 
the  old-fashioned  square  pew.  The  exclamation  of  a 
little  girl  who  for  the  first  time  attended  service  in  one 
of  the  old-fashioned  meeting-houses  gives  a  word-picture 
of  its  square  pews  :  "  What,  must  I  be  shut  up  in  a 
closet  and  sit  upon  a  shelf  ? "  The  uncushioned  seats 
were  hung  on  hinges  and  were  turned  up  during  the 
singing  and  the  long  prayer,  when  the  people  stood  up 
for  a  change  in  the  long  service,  to  come  down  with 
a  bang  at  its  close. 

The  pulpit,  which  was  built  by  a  separate  appropria- 
tion in  1758,  was  high,  and  was  approached  by  a  flight 
of  stairs.  The  sounding-board,  which  was  then  in  uni- 
versal use,  was  suspended  above  the  pulpit,  and  helped, 
as  it  has  been  said,  to  cultivate  the  imagination  of  the 
boys  in  their  speculations  as  to  what  would  happen  to 
the  minister  if  the  chain  should  break.  This  building 
became  a  meeting-house  in  reality  ;  and,  as  soon  as  it 


3 6  HfS TOR  Y  OF   DO  I'ER  . 

was  completed,  it  was  used  for  all  public  meetings. 
The  first  precinct-meeting  was  held  in  the  meeting- 
house December  17,  1755. 

In  1759  it  was  voted  to  put  galleries  and  stairs  into 
the  meeting-house,  "  to  be  finished  in  the  most  prudent 
and  decent  manner,"  and  the  galleries  to  be  built  with 
only  common  seats.  In  1760  it  was  voted  not  to  finish 
the  galleries  with  seats  behind,  on  account  of  the  ex- 
pense;  but,  when  a  subscription  of  £6,  iqs.,  2d.,  was 
made  towards  the  expense,  it  was  unanimously  voted. 
It  was  also  voted  that  the  seats  in  the  body  of  the 
meeting-house  should  be  widened  and  otherwise  altered, 
and  that  pews  should  be  built  on  the  lower  floor  in  all 
vacant  places. 

There  were  galleries  on  three  sides  of  the  meeting- 
house. In  1776  the  singers  were  given  permission  by 
vote  of  the  parish  to  seat  themselves  as  best  suited  for 
singing.  They  took  the  gallery  in  front  of  the  pulpit, 
which  was  ever  afterwards  occupied  by  the  choir.  In 
1772  the  people  seemed  to  have  remembered  that  "a 
merciful  man  is  merciful  to  his  beast,"  and  Asa  Mason 
and  others  were  given  permission  to  build  horse-sheds 
within  the  bounds  already  established  on  the  west  side 
of  the  parish  grounds.  Stone  steps  were  voted  by  the 
parish  in  1773. 

What  was  the  vexed  question  of  seating  the  meeting- 
house, which  was  always  coming  up  and  never  settled  ? 
It  is  well  explained  by  Mr.  Caulkins  in  his  history  of 
Norwich,  Conn.:  "When  the  meeting-house  was  fin- 
ished, a  committee  was  appointed  to  dignify  the  seats 
and  establish  the  rule  for  seating  the  people.  Usually 
the  square  pew  nearest  the  pulpit  was  first  in  dignity, 


BUILDING    THE    MEETING-HOUSE  37 

and  next  to  this  came  the  second  pew  and  the  first  long 
seat  in  front  of  the  pulpit.  After  this  the  dignity  grad- 
ually diminished  as  the  pews  receded  from  the  pulpit. 
If  the  house  was  furnished,  as  in  some  instances,  with 
square  pews  on  each  side  of  the  outer  door,  fronting  the 
pulpit,  these  were  equal  to  the  second  or  third  rank  in 
dignity.  The  front  seat  in  the  gallery  and  the  two 
highest  pews  in  the  side  galleries  were  also  seats  of  con- 
siderable dignity." 

The  rules  for  seating  were  formed  on  an  estimate  of 
age,  rank,  office,  estate,  and  aid  furnished  in  building 
the  house.  These  lists  were  occasionally  revised,  and 
the  people  reseated  at  intervals  of  three  or  four  years. 
Frequent  disputes  and  even  long-continued  feuds  were 
caused  by  this  perplexing  business  of  seating  a  congre- 
gation according  to  rank  and  dignity. 

Nathaniel  Battle,  John  Jones,  Eleazer  Allen,  Dea. 
Ralph  Day,  Samuel  Metcalf,  Joseph  Haven,  and  Heze- 
kiah  Allen  were  appointed  March  16,  1767,  to  perform 
the  difficult  task  of  "seating  the  meeting-house." 
These  gentlemen  were  among  the  most  prominent  and 
influential  people  in  the  parish,  for  "to  dignify  seats" 
required  much  skill  and  sense  of  propriety.  Our  fathers 
were  great  respecters  of  persons,  and  very  desirous  that 
each  person  should  occupy  the  seat  in  public  worship  to 
which  his  position  entitled  him. 

••  In  the  goodly  house  of  worship,  where  in  order  due  and  fit, 
As  by  public  vote  directed,  classed  and  ranked  the  people  sit. 
Mistress  first    and    good  wife  after,  clerkly  squire    before    the 

clown, 
From    the    brave    coat,    lace-embroidered,    to    the    gray    frock 

shading  down." 


38  HISTORY    OF   DOVI-'.R 

This  committee  was  instructed  to  seat  all  who  were 
inhabitants  of  the  parish,  and  who  paid  a  tax  on  real  and 
personal  estates.  The  "  fore-seats,"  which  were  the 
seats  of  honor  in  a  Puritan  meeting-house,  were  desig- 
nated as  follows  :  — 

One  on  the  ground  floor  and  one  in  the  gallery  above, 
together  with  a  side  seat  in  the  gallery.  The  young 
men  occupied  rows  of  seats  in  one  gallery,  while  the 
young  women  had  corresponding  seats  in  the  opposite 
gallery. 

As  the  long  church  service  was  uninteresting  to  the 
boys,  they  had  to  be  constantly  watched  lest  their 
"  breach  of  the  Sabbath  "  should  shock  the  older  people. 
So  they  were  seated  between  the  poor  seats  and  the 
side  pew,  under  the  inspection  of  the  older  people  and 
the  young  men. 

The  committee,  in  "dignifying  the  seats,"  made 
certain  seats  in  different  localities  equal  in  dignity  with 
others.  They  thus  satisfied  the  pride  of  the  people,  as 
all  could  not  be  placed  in  the  fore-seats.  Pews  of 
irregular  shape  were  built  in  different  parts  of  the 
meeting-house.  Some  were  square,  others  oblong,  while 
common  seats  occupied  the  remaining  space.  Pews 
were  assigned  to  the  poor  and  later  to  colored  people. 
The  parish  voted,  out  of  respect  to  the  aged,  "  that  two 
years  should  be  regarded  as  equal  to  one  pound  or 
penny  in  the  single  rate."  After  the  seating  committee 
had  prepared  its  list  and  assigned  seats  to  all  the 
inhabitants,  their  report  was  read  at  a  public  meeting  of 
the  parish  May  7,  1767,  and,  after  long  waiting  and 
repeated  requests  "that  if  any  had  anything  to  say, 
or  objections  to  make,  they  would  speak,  and  no  man 


BUILDIATG    THE    MEETING-HOUSE  39 

speaking  one  word  as  to  the  thing  before  us,  the  report 
of  the  committee  was  accepted." 

Nevertheless,  the  people  were  not  satisfied  ;  and  in 
1769  the  parish  voted  to  make  alterations  in  the  seating 
of  the  meeting-house.  About  this  time  the  parish  was 
giving  more  attention  to  its  public  schools,  and  a  motion 
was  made  to  sell  the  pews  to  the  highest  bidder,  the 
money  thus  raised  to  be  appropriated  to  the  public 
schools ;  but  the  people  were  not  ready  for  such  a 
democratic  measure. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  held  March  28,  1769,  it  was 
voted  "that  each  person  may  come  and  choose  his  seat 
according  to  his  age  and  estate."  In  accordance  with 
this  vote  the  inhabitants  were  seated  as  shown  in  the 
plans1  given  at  the  end  of  this  chapter. 

March  6,  1772,  Dea.  Joseph  Haven,  Dea.  Ralph 
Day,  Hezekiah  Allen,  Jr.,  Daniel  Whiting,  Kbenezer 
Battle,  Joseph  Draper,  Jr.,  and  others  were  given 
"  liberty  to  take  up  one  hind  seat  in  the  body  of  seats 
each  side  of  the  alley,  and  build  four  pews  for  their 
room  at  their  own  charge,  and  enjoy  them  until  said 
precinct  reimbursed  the  first  cost  of  said  pews." 

The  parish  for  nearly  a  half  century  was  constantly 
considering  the  perplexing  question  of  "  seating  the 
meeting-house";  and  on  the  completion  of  the  new  house 
of  worship,  in  1812,  the  inhabitants  took  this  significant 
action:  "Voted  to  seat  the  meeting-house  for  forty 
years."  Families  were  seated  in  accordance  with  the 
tax  paid  towards  the  expense  of  building.  The  largest 
taxpayer  had  the  first  choice  in  his  selection,  and  "  so 
on  down." 

1  Xo  attempt  is  made  to  give  the  exact  si/.e  and  precise  location  of  all  the  pews. 


40  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Titles  were  always  prefixed  to  the  names  of  citizens 
entitled  to  them,  even  in  town  affairs  and  in  public  docu- 
ments, as  they  were  very  proud  of  any  titles  they  had  won. 

This  is  illustrated  by  the  town  warrant  in  1816 
referring  to  the  acceptance  of  a  road  laid  out  by  the 
selectmen  "through  land  of  Col.  George  Fisher's,  Lieut. 
Horace  Bacon's,  and  Dea.  Ebenezer  Smith's." 

This  meeting-house,  which  was  completed  after  so 
much  debate,  different  appropriations,  and  weary  years 
of  toil,  served  the  people  comfortably  for  half  a  century. 
In  1809  a  committee  of  seven  was  chosen  to  examine 
the  meeting-house  and  see  what  repairs  were  necessary 
to  meet  the  needs  of  the  people.  The  committee 
reported  that  the  building  was  not  worth  repairing 
beyond  minor  repairs,  which  the  selectmen  were  author- 
ized to  make,  and  recommended  the  building  of  a  new 
meeting-house  at  an  expense  of  five  thousand  dollars. 
At  this  time  the  parish  was  considering  the  settlement 
of  a  new  minister,  and  many  were  anxious  to  have  a  new 
meeting-house ;  but  the  people,  as  usual,  were  divided 
in  sentiment  on  the  subject.  At  seven  o'clock  in  the 
evening  of  Tuesday,  February  13,  1810,  the  meeting- 
house was  consumed  by  fire. 

Although  the  selectmen  called  a  district  meeting, 
which  was  held  in  the  Center  schoolhouse  on  February 
21,  and  a  reward  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  was 
offered  for  the  detection  of  the  person  or  persons  who 
set  fire  to  the  meeting-house,  it  was  an  open  secret  that 
it  was  set  on  fire  by  the  hand  of  an  irresponsible 
resident  of  the  parish  who  thought  it  the  best  way  of 
settling  a  difficult  question. 

The  last  public  service  held  in  the  old  meeting-house 


BUILDING    THE    MEETING-HOUSE  41 

was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  Stephen  Palmer,  of  Need- 
ham,  the  steadfast  friend  of  the  society,  and  their 
spiritual  adviser  during  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caryl's  long  and 
continued  illness. 

Thus,  by  the  hand  of  an  incendiary,  was  wiped  out 
the  meeting-house  in  which  the  sacraments  were  first 
administered  here,  in  which  a  fervent  prayer  was  offered 
for  the  solace  of  the  wife  and  children  of  a  minute- 
man1  who  was  among  the  first  to  give  his  life  for 
this  nation.  It  was  in  this  meeting-house  that  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  was  read  to  the  people  as 
soon  as  it  was  received  after  its  acceptance  by  the 
Continental  Congress.  Here  for  seven  years  were 
preached  those  thrilling  words  of  patriotism  which 
encouraged  and  cheered  the  hearts  of  the  people  during 
the  Revolution.  From  this  meeting-house  how  many 
friends  and  neighbors  had  gone  out  for  the  last  time  to 
sleep  in  the  little  burying-ground  with  the  beloved  dead 
of  almost  a  century !  What  tender  memories  cluster 
around  the  church  of  our  fathers !  What  tender 
thoughts  and  emotions  arise  when  we  enter  the  sacred 
portals  where  our  ancestors  for  generations  have  wor- 
shipped !  How  much  one  loses  from  his  life  who 
breaks  off  from  these  tender  ties  and  associations ! 
What  compensates  for  the  separation  ? 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  their  minister  was  feeble, 
many  trembled  for  the  future  of  the  church  ;  but  the 
people,  full  of  courage,  undertook  the  task,  and  raised  a 
meeting-house  of  much  larger  dimensions  and  better 
architectural  proportions  than  the  first. 

1  Elias  Haven.     Killed  at  the  battle  of  Lexington,  April  19,  1775. 


\ 

Capt.     He/.ekiah 

Thomas    Rich- 

_ 

Dea.  Ralph  Day,       Josiah      Bacon, 

Allen,  Joseph  Dra- 

ards, Josiah  Reed, 

Dea.    Joseph    Ha-     Kleazer  Allen, 

per,  Jeremiah   Ba- 

William Whiting. 

ven,  Hezekiah  Al-     Widow  Elizabeth 

con. 

len,  Jr. 

Cheney. 

Samuel  Cheney, 

.<•! 
V    .5 

1  -S 

Joseph  Draper,  Jr., 

Asa  Mason, 

c  '•< 

Jonathan  Whiting, 

Lemuel  Richards. 

David  Fuller. 

Daniel  Haven,  John  Chickering, 

Samuel 

Metcalf,  Ebenezer  Battle, 

John  Draper. 

Widow  Mary  Fisher. 

\       ll'est 

East        / 

\     Door.               Aisle' 

Aisle~               Door.     / 

Jesse  Knapp, 

Robert  Murdock, 

Ebenezer  Newell. 

Eleazer  Allen,  Jr. 

Josiah  Briggs, 

Nathan  Metcalf, 

Thomas  Merrifield, 

Timothy  Merrifield, 

Jo 

seph  Fisher. 

Theodore  Newell. 

Seats. 

Seats. 

Samuel  Chickering,                                                      John  Mason, 

Samuel  Herring,                                          ^ 

Joseph  Fisher. 

Jonathan  Battle. 

Fore          ^ 

|         Seats. 

1 

) 

John  Jones,  Esq.,     Dea.  Joshua  Ellis, 

cJ 

Ephraim  Bacon,        Nathaniel  Wilson, 

.  

Josiah  Richards.       David  Chickering. 

^ 

(           I'  ul  fit.        ^ 

GROUND    FLOOR   OF   MEETING-HOUSE. 


Samuel  Allen,  Thomas  Draper,  Jeremiah  Dean. 
Seats. 

Daniel  Whiting,  Elias  Haven,  Samuel  Metcalf,  Timothy  Allen. 
Pew. 


Nathaniel  Battle,  Daniel  Chickering,  John 

Battle,  Richard  Bacon,  Jonathan 

Day,  Asa  Richards. 

Fore  Seats. 


ffl 

«       2 

bo         •£ 


1 « a 

i  • 


PLAN   OF   GALLERY. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

HOW    THEY    SECURED   A    MINISTER. 

THE  FIRST  PREACHER  —  LETTER  FROM  THE  GRAND  JURY  OF 
SUFFOLK  COUNTY  —  PUBLIC  WORSHIP  NOT  CONTINUOUS 
UNTIL  1759  —  APPLICATION  FOR  A  DIVISION  OF  FIRST 
CHURCH  LANDS — VOTE  TO  CALL  A  MINISTER  —  JOSEPH 
MANNING —  SAMUEL  DANA  —  SUPPLIES  — CALL  TO  BEN- 
JAMIN CARYL  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

If  you  travel  through  the  world  well,  you  may  find  cities  without  walls,  without 
literature,  without  kings,  moneyless,  and  such  as  desire  no  coin,  which  know  not  what 
theatres  or  public  halls  of  bodily  exercise  mean ;  but  never  was  there,  nor  ever  shall  there 
be,  any  one  city  seen  without  temple,  church,  or  chapel.  .  .  .  This  is  that  containeth 
and  holdeth  together  all  human  society;  this  is  the  foundation,  stay,  and  prop  of  all. 

—Pltttarch. 

An  appropriation  of  twenty-five  pounds  was  made 
November  15,  1749,  to  defray  the  expenses  of  three 
months'  preaching ;  and  Joseph  Draper,  Ralph  Day, 
and  Daniel  Wight  were  chosen  a  committee  to  procure 
a  preacher.  As  the  parish  was  little  more  than  a  dozen 
miles  from  Harvard  College,  the  committee  was  not 
charged  with  a  difficult  task.  The  preachers,  for  the 
most  part,  were  young  men  still  in  college,  who  usually 
rode  in  on  Saturday  and  returned  on  Monday,  the 
parish  furnishing  entertainment. 

In  the  years  that  followed,  the  preacher  sometimes 
became  the  district  school-teacher  during  the  winter 
season.  These  early  public  services  were  held  in  the 
schoolhouse,  which  was  near  the  center  of  the  parish, 
and,  although  owned  by  individuals,  was  used  for  all 
public  meetings. 


HOW    THEY   SECURED    A    MINISTER  45 

Mr.  Thomas  Jones  was  the  first  preacher.  He  filled 
an  engagement  for  the  thirteen  weeks  commencing  with 
the  first  Sunday  in  December,  1749.  Mr.  Jones  was 
born  in  Dorchester,  Mass.,  and  graduated  from  Harvard 
College  in  1741. 

Soon  after  the  organization  of  the  church  in  Stough- 
ton,  in  1744,  he  was  called  by  the  parish  to  become 
its  pastor ;  but  the  church  failed  to  concur  with  the 
parish.  He  was  called  to  the  church  at  Woburn 
Precinct,  now  Burlington,  in  1751.  He  remained 
pastor  of  the  church  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1774.  Mr.  Jones  was  stricken  with  apoplexy  in  the 
pulpit  just  after  the  morning  prayer,  and  died  the  same 
day. 

His  gravestone,  erected  by  the  church  at  Burlington, 
speaks  of  him  as  having  "  great  diligence,  integrity, 
prudence,  fidelity,  and  meekness  of  wisdom." 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Jones's  engagement  the  Spring- 
field Parish  voted  not  to  have  preaching  during  the 
summer ;  and,  as  the  people  were  scattered,  it  is  not 
likely  t^at  they  took  up  their  worship  again  in  other 
places.  As  winter  approached,  they  were  again  mindful 
of  the  need  of  public  worship,  and  the  question  of  appro- 
priating money  to  meet  the  expenses  of  preaching  came 
up  at  a  parish  meeting,  November  8,  1 749 ;  but,  the 
vote  being  a  tie,  no  provision  was  made  to  meet  the 
expenses  of  public  worship.  During  the  next  few  years 
there  seems  to  have  been  no  public  worship.  In  1754, 
this  fact  having  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  court, 
the  parish  was  notified  that  public  worship  must  be 
maintained  or  they  would  be  called  before  the  court. 
Doubtless  encouraged  by  the  successful  efforts  of  the 


46  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

other  parishes  in  Declham,  the  people  of  the  Fourth 
Precinct  were  more  zealous  for  separating  from  the 
mother  church  than  they  were  to  support  worship 
among  themselves. 

The  notice  from  the  court  seems  to  have  reminded 
the  people  of  their  neglect ;  and  at  a  parish  meeting 
held  October  17,  1754,  the  moderate  sum  of  ^13,  8^., 
6d.  was  voted  to  meet  the  expenses  of  two  or  three 
months'  preaching.  In  tracing  the  development  of  the 
Dover  church  we  find  that  in  1755  the  public  service 
was  increased  to  four  months'  preaching  in  the  winter. 
In  1757  provision  was  made  for  six  months'  preaching, 
while  in  1758  the  people  were  anxious  to  settle  a  min- 
ister and  have  a  continuous  Sunday  service.  Public 
worship  was  made  permanent  in  1759. 

The  parish  was  not  forgetful  of  the  lands  that  had 
been  laid  out  from  time  to  time  to  aid  the  Dedham 
church  in  the  support  of  preaching;  and  in  1755  the 
parish  appointed  Ensign  John  Jones,  Ebenezer  Newell, 
and  Lieut.  Jonathan  Day  a  committee  to  make  applica- 
tion to  the  First  Church  in  Dedham  for  a  division  and 
allowance  to  this  parish  of  their  rights  and  proportion  in 
the  land  set  apart  for  the  use  and  improvement  of  the 
church. 

The  Dedham  church  considered  the  matter,  having 
also  petitions  from  the  Norwood,  West  Dedham,  and 
Walpole  churches  ;  but  the  requests  were  so  numerous 
that  the  church  decided  not  to  divide  its  lands.  While 
the  committee  was  empowered  to  take  all  necessary 
steps  to  recover  their  proportional  part  of  all  grants  to 
the  Dedham  church,  yet  no  legal  action  was  taken  by 
the  committee,  and  the  matter  was  dropped. 


HO W    THEY   SECURED    A    MINISTER  47 

In  1758  the  body  of  the  meeting-house  having  been 
furnished  with  seats  and  a  pulpit  erected,  the  parish 
voted,  October  8,  to  make  choice,  in  the  common  phrase 
of  the  time,  of  an  "orthodox,  learned,  and  pious  per- 
son" to  dispense  "ye  word  of  God"  and  administer  the 
special  ordinances  of  the  gospel  in  the  parish. 

Mr.  Joseph  Manning,  of  Cambridge,  who  had  been 
a  frequent  preacher  in  the  parish,  was  unanimously 
chosen  as  the  minister  of  the  society.  The  persistent 
efforts  of  a  poor  and  scattered  people  in  completing 
their  meeting-house,  which  covered  more  than  ten 
years,  and  in  settling  a  minister,  which  occupied  more 
than  twelve  years,  must  not  be  attributed  wholly  to  the 
universal  piety  of  the  inhabitants.  The  law  required 
the  organization  of  a  church,  and  their  political  privi- 
leges depended  upon  it. 

King  William  approved  in  1692  a  law  by  the  Governor 
and  Company  of  Massachusetts  Bay  that  every  town 
should  be  constantly  provided  with  an  able,  learned,  and 
orthodox  minister  of  good  conversation,  to  dispense  the 
word  of  God ;  and,  although  the  people  of  this  parish 
were  freed  from  the  responsibility  of  contributing  and 
attending  the  church  at  Dedham,  they  were  not  freed 
from  the  responsibility  of  settling  a  minister  among 
themselves,  as  shown  in  the  watchful  care  of  the  court. 

The  planting  of  a  meeting-house  and  the  final  settle- 
ment of  a  minister  was  the  most  important  step  in  the 
history  of  the  town.  We  have  only  to  carry  ourselves 
back  in  imagination  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  to  realize 
this.  The  inhabitants  were  a  scattered  people  of  little 
education,  with  a  pioneer  spirit  ;  having  no  public  com- 
munication with  the  town  of  Boston  ;  with  few  and 


48  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

poor  highways  and  bridges,  no  mail  facilities,  with  only 
one  school  kept  for  a  few  weeks  in  the  year  by  an  itin- 
erant schoolmaster  in  a  little  schoolhouse  owned  by  indi- 
viduals, and  where  the  scholars  were  expected  to  provide 
the  fuel ;  with  no  physician  and  little  medicine  for  sick- 
ness ;  few  books,  no  newspapers  or  magazines  ;  none  of 
the  luxuries  of  life,  and  little  time  for  social  intercourse. 

The  minister,  a  man  of  education  and  refinement, 
was  settled  for  life.  He  was  the  chief  magistrate  and 
instructor,  as  well  as  preacher.  He  settled  disputes, 
gave  advice,  consulted  in  sickness,  fitted  bright  boys 
for  college,  and  gave  information  on  many  subjects 
where  knowledge  was  inaccessible.  In  short,  he  was 
not  only  a  preacher,  but  stood  in  the  place  of  all  our 
modern  institutions. 

Mr.  Joseph  Manning,  who  was  called  to  the  First 
Parish  church,  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  and  grad- 
uated from  Harvard  College  in  1751.  He  was  chosen 
by  vote  of  the  parish  October  18,  1/58,  and  invited  to 
settle  March  i,  1759,  at  an  annual  salary  of  £66,  i$s., 
4<Y.  As  was  customary  in  those  days,  in  order  to  en- 
courage the  minister  to  settle,  the  parish  voted  to  give 
Mr.  Manning,  in  addition  to  his  salary,  ,£133,  6s.,  8d., 
in  lawful  money,  the  whole  amount  to  be  paid  within 
two  years  from  the  date  of  his  settlement. 

Mr.  Manning  did  not  keep  the  parish  in  long  sus- 
pense, as  the  following  letter  shows  :  — 

TO  THE   IXHAKITAXTS   IX   THK   WEST    PARISH   IX   DlCDHA.M. 

Christian  Friends  and  Brethren, —  Having  taken  into  my  most 
serious  and  prayerful  consideration  the  call  you  have  given  me  to 
settle  in  ye  work  of  ye  gospel  ministry.  I  do  here  send  you  my 
answer.  I  can  but  heartily  rejoice  while  1  consider  ye  harmony 


HOW    THEY   SECURED    A    MINISTER  49 

subsisting  in  your  parish,  and  bless  God  for  ye  spirit  of  unity  so 
wonderfully  prevailing  among  you,  which,  if  maintained  and  pre- 
served, will  undoubtedly  facilitate  and  every  way  forward  ye  set- 
tlement of  ye  gospel  among  you.  As  to  your  call  to  me,  after 
weighing  matters  so  far  as  I  am  capable,  I  am  obliged  to  decline 
accepting  it,  not  being  willing  to  keep  you  long  in  suspense,  as  I 
was  persuaded  this  would  be  the  result  of  my  thought  after  ye 
longest  deliberation ;  and,  lest  my  undesigned  delay  should  be 
taken  for  encouragement,  this  has  occasioned  me  to  speedily  an- 
swer, which,  speedy  as  it  is,  I  trust  will  not  be  unexpected  to  you. 
Therefore,  finally,  brethren,  live  in  love  and  peace,  keeping  ye 
unity  of  ye  spirit  in  ye  bond  of  it.  And  may  ye  God  of  peace  be 
with  you,  may  his  peace  rest  upon  you.  That  ye  great  Shepherd 
of  ye  sheep  would  in  due  time  give  you  a  pastor  after  his  own 
heart,  a  faithful  minister  of  ye  New  Testament  to  your  spiritual 
edification  and  abundant  joy  and  comfort,  is  and  shall  be  ye 
prayer  of  your  friend  in  Christ, 

JOSEPH  MANNING. 
CAMBRIDGE,  December  4,  1758. 

No  farther  steps  were  taken  to  settle  a  minister  for 
over  two  years,  although  there  had  been  continuous 
preaching  by  different  persons.  December  n,  1760, 
the  parish  voted  to  extend  a  call  to  Mr.  Samuel  Dana, 
who  had  preached  in  the  parish  for  four  months,  on 
the  same  salary  and  conditions  as  were  offered  Mr. 
Manning.  There  seems  to  have  been  opposition  to 
Mr.  Dana.  At  the  time  of  his  selection  Dea.  Joshua 
Ellis  presented  a  paper,  signed  by  himself  and  fifteen 
others,  wishing  to  put  on  record  their  dissent  from  the 
action  of  the  parish.  Daniel  Chickering  represented 
the  committee  chosen  to  wait  on  Mr.  Dana  with  the 
vote  of  the  precinct.  Mr.  Dana  was  then  preaching 
in  Groton,  and  Mr.  Chickering  was  paid  twelve  shillings 
for  carrying  the  vote  of  the  precinct  to  him.  Mr.  Dana 


50  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

declined  the  call,  and  probably  made  a  verbal  reply,  as 
there  is  no  record  of  any  communication  from  him. 

Mr.  Dana  was  a  man  of  strong  character.  He  was 
born  in  that  part  of  Cambridge  which  is  now  Brighton, 
January  14,  1737.  He  entered  Harvard  College  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years,  and  had  for  classmates  President 
John  Adams,  Gov.  John  Wentworth,  and  other  distin- 
guished men.  He  was  a  man  of  very  decided  opinion, 
and  the  opposition  to  him  was  probably  on  doctrinal 
grounds.  This  call  was  made  just  after  the  close  of 
the  French  and  Indian  War  and  earlier  than  any 
opposition  to  the  Crown.  Mr.  Dana  was  called  to  the 
church  at  Groton,  Mass.,  February  3,  1761. 

He  is  said  to  have  sympathized  with  the  Crown,  and 
in  March,  1775,  preached  a  sermon  in  favor  of  non- 
resistance.  This  sermon  gave  great  offence  to  his 
people,  and  on  the  following  Sunday  he  was  not  allowed 
to  go  into  the  pulpit.  He  soon  asked  for  a  dismissal, 
which  was  granted  him  by  the  town.  He  continued  to 
live  in  Groton  for  several  years,  and  for  a  time  preached 
to  an  independent  congregation  which  sympathized  with 
him.  Mr.  Dana  read  law,  and  later  settled  at  Amherst, 
N..H.  He  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  for  Hills- 
borough  County,  and  died  in  Amherst,  April  2,  1798. 

The  Springfield  Parish  was  fortunate  in  the  men  who 
occupied  its  pulpit  in  the  years  preceding  the  settlement 
of  a  minister.  Many  were  men  of  deep  piety,  fine 
scholarship,  and  rare  ability.  These  preachers  not  only 
developed  the  character  of  the  people,  but  in  those  try- 
ing times  from  1750  to  1760  fostered  the  spirit  of 
fortitude  among  them.  Perhaps  it  was  too  early  to 
awaken  a  spirit  of  liberty ;  but  it  came  soon  after, 


HOW    THEY   SECURED    A    MINISTER  51 

and  was  a  marked  characteristic  of  the  people.  Will- 
iam Symmes  filled  an  engagement  during  the  winter 
of  1754—55  ;  and,  as  he  also  taught  the  Center  School 
during  that  period,  he  must  have  become  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  people.  Following  his  engagement 
in  the  Springfield  Parish  Mr.  Symmes  was  elected  tutor 
in  Harvard  College,  where  he  remained  for  three  years. 
November  i,  1758,  he  was  ordained  as  a  minister  at 
Andover,  Mass.  He  preached  the  election  sermon  in 
1785,  and  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  Harvard  in  1803.  He  died  in  1807. 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Sherman,  who  was  teaching  at  West 
Dedham,  was  also  a  preacher  here  in  1755.  Mr. 
Sherman  was  born  in  Newton  and  graduated  from 
Princeton  College  in  1753,  and  was  ordained  as  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Bedford,  Mass.,  February  18,  1756. 
Settled  over  the  church  at  Mount  Carmel,  Conn.,  May 
1 8,  1768,  he  remained  there  until  his  death,  July  18, 
1797. 

The  prominent  preachers  the  next  year  were  William 
Symmes,  Thomas  Brown,  Joseph  Cotton,  George  Minot 
(Harvard,  1752),  Joseph  Burbeam,  A.M.  (Harvard, 

I73I)- 

Samuel  Locke,  A.M.,  S.T.D.,  of  Lancaster,  Mass., 
preached  here  for  some  time.  He  graduated  from 
Harvard  in  1755,  was  ordained  at  Sherborn  November 
7,  1759,  and  was  inaugurated  President  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege March  15,  1770. 

Other  preachers  here,  for  short  periods,  were  as 
follows  :  — 

Peter  Thacher  Smith,  A.M.,  graduated  at  Harvard 
College  1753.  A  son  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Smith,  of 


52  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Falmouth,  Me.  (now  Portland).  Was  ordained  minister 
of  the  church  at  Windham,  N.H. 

William  Whit  well,  A.M.,  graduated  at  the  College  of 
New  Jersey  in  1758,  and  died  in  1781,  aged  forty-five 
years,  in  the  twentieth  year  of  his  ministry.  He  was  set- 
tled as  an  assistant  to  the  Rev.  John  Barnard,  of  Mar- 
blehead,  August  25,  1762.  It  is  said  of  Mr.  Whitwell 
that  he  was  "the  gentleman  and  Christian  happily  united. 
He  was  a  well-instructed  scribe,  concise,  pertinent,  en- 
lightening, and  winning  in  address  on  all  occasions." 

Eliab  Stone,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Framingham,  Mass., 
May  5,  1737,  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1758, 
and  was  ordained  minister  in  Reading,  Mass.,  May  20, 
1761.  He  died  in  1822  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his 
age  and  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  ministry. 

Samuel  Kingsbury,  A.M.,  graduated  from  Harvard 
College  in  1759. 

Nathaniel  Noyes  was  born  in  Newbury,  Mass.,  in 
1735,  and  graduated  from  Princeton  College  in  1759. 
He  commenced  preaching  in  1760,  and  spent  his  life 
chiefly  among  the  destitute. 

Jonathan  Winchester  graduated  from  Harvard  College 
in  1737.  He  was  the  first  minister  at  Ashburnham, 
Mass.,  where  he  was  ordained  in  1760.  He  died  in  the 
seventh  year  of  his  ministry,  1767,  greatly  lamented. 

Ezra  Thayer  was  a  native  of  Mendon,  Mass. ;  gradu- 
ated from  Harvard  College  in  1756.  He  was  ordained 
at  Ware,  Mass.,  January  10,  1759.  He  died  February 
!7>  !775>  'm  the  office.  He  was  a  man  of  pleasing 
address,  and  easily  won  the  confidence  of  the  people. 

Samuel  Kingsbury  graduated  from  Harvard  in  1759. 
He  preached  for  a  time  on  the  island  of  Martha's  Vine- 


HOW    THEY   SECURED    A    MINISTER  53 

yard,  and  received  a  call  to  the  First  Church  in  Edgar- 
town,  Mass.,  which  he  accepted,  and  was  ordained 
the  25th  of  November,  1761.  He  died  in  the  office 
December  30,  1778,  much  loved  and  respected. 

Thomas  Brown  was  born  in  Haverhill,  and  graduated 
from  Harvard  College  in  1752.  He  was  ordained  at 
Marshfield,  Mass.,  August  21,  1766.  He  was  settled 
over  the  church  at  West  brook,  Me.  He  continued  in 
the  office  until  his  death,  October  18,  1797. 

William  Clark,  A.M.,  born  July  22,  1740,  son  of  the 
Rev.  Peter  Clark,  of  Salem  (now  Danvers),  graduated 
from  Harvard  in  1759,  and  became  an  Episcopal  clergy- 
man. He  officiated  at  Quincy,  Mass.,  in  1767,  and  the 
next  year  went  to  England  to  take  orders.  He  was 
accounted  a  refugee,  and  received  a  pension  from  the 
government  of  Great  Britain,  and  returned  to  this 
country  after  the  Revolution. 

William  Goddard,  A.M.,  graduated  from  Harvard 
College  in  1761. 

Phineas  Whitney,  of  Weston,  graduated  at  Harvard 
.College  in  1759.  He  was  settled  over  the  church  at 
Shirley,  Mass.,  in  1762,  and  remained  pastor  for  more 
than  fifty  years.  He  was  a  pious  man,  a  successful 
minister,  and  a  patriotic  citizen  during  the  trying  times 
of  the  Revolution. 

Job  Whitney,  of  Marlborough,  entered  Harvard  Col- 
lege in  1758,  and  died  January  13,  1761.  He  preached 
for  several  months  in  Brighton,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  preaching  as  a  candidate  at  Marblehead, 
Mass. 

Joseph  Dorr,  of  Mendon,  graduated  at  Harvard  in 
1755.  He  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Dorr,  for 


54  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

many  years  minister  at  Mendon.  Joseph,  Jr.,  did  not 
enter  the  ministry,  but  read  law.  He  was  for  many 
years  a  very  prominent  citizen  of  his  native  town. 

Timothy  Walker,  son  of  the  Rev.  Timothy  Walker, 
of  Concord,  N.H.,  graduated  from  Harvard  in  1756. 
He  did  not  enter  the  ministry.  He  was  a  patriot  of 
the  Revolution,  and  in  1776  was  a  member  of  the 
Committee  of  Safety.  He  commanded  a  company  of 
minute-men,  and  served  under  Sullivan  in  the  campaign 
at  Winter  Hill.  He  read  law,  and  for  several  years  was 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

Having  heard  supplies  through  all  these  years,  at  a 
meeting  held  April  15,  1762,  the  parish  unanimously 
voted  to  extend  a  call  to  Mr.  Benjamin  Caryl,  who  had 
been  a  frequent  preacher,  to  settle  as  their  minister. 
He  was  offered,  as  an  encouragement  to  settle,  the  sum 
°f  £133>  &s->  S<^->  one-half  to  be  paid  in  one  year,  and 
the  remainder  in  two  years  from  his  ordination,  with  a 
yearly  salary  of  £66,  13^-.,  4<Y.,  to  commence  on  the 
loth  of  March,  1763.  Nathaniel  Battle,  Dea.  Joshua 
Ellis,  Jonathan  Whiting,  Samuel  Chickering,  Capt. 
Hezekiah  Allen,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  wait  on 
Mr.  Caryl.  This  call  was  accepted ;  and  the  parish, 
in  November,  organized  its  church,  which  it  had  been 
so  long;  laboring  to  establish. 


CHAPTER    V. 

THE    FIRST    MINISTER. 

BENJAMIN  CARYL — LETTER  OF  ACCEPTANCE  —  ORDINATION 
—  A  CONFESSION  OF  FAITH — -CHURCH  COVENANT  —  SE- 
LECTION OF  DEACONS  —  GIFT  OF  LAND  FOR  A  PARSON- 
AGE—  MR.  CARYL'S  BIBLE  —  DEATH  OF  MR.  CARYL- 
FUNERAL —  ESTIMATE  OF  HIS  CHARACTER  —  DAY  OF 
FASTING  AND  PRAYER  —  GRAVESTONE  ERECTED  TO  HIS 
MEMORY. 

"  The  man  of  amplest  influence, 
Whole  in  himself,  a  common  good, 
Ricli  in  saving  common  sense, 
And,  as  the  greatest  only  are, 
In  his  simplicity  sublime." 

Benjamin  Caryl,  A.M.,  was  born  in  Hopkinton,  Mass., 
in  1732,  and  graduated  from  Harvard  College  in  1761. 
He  studied  theology  with  the  Rev.  Henry  Messinger,  of 
Wrentham,  whose  daughter  he  married  soon  after  his 
settlement.  Although  the  call  extended  to  him  to 
settle  over  the  Springfield  Parish  was  made  early  in 
April,  1762,  he  did  not  reply  until  nearly  five  months 
after.  He  doubtless  considered  the  question  in  all  its 
bearings,  and  after  much  prayer  and  meditation,  as  was 
the  custom  of  the  time,  saw  his  lines  cast  with  this 
people,  whom  he  faithfully  served  for  nearly  fifty  years 
as  a  devoted  minister.  He  beautifully  exemplified  in 
his  life  the  truth  of  the  Scripture,  "  He  that  is  greatest 
among  you  shall  be  your  servant."  Mr.  Caryl  accepted 
the  call  of  the  parish  the  5th  of  September,  1762,  in 
the  following  letter  :  — 


5  6  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

To  THE  PEOPLE  OF  THE  SPRINGFIELD  PARISH   ix   DEDHAM, 
GREETING  : 

Christian  Friends,  —  I  hope  I  am  in  some  measure  sensible  of 
the  overruling  providence  of  God  in  all  things,  and  willing  to 
hear  and  obey  his  voice  to  me  therein.  Especially  would  I  .at 
this  time  acknowledge  and  view  the  providence  of  God,  both  in 
so  far  uniting  your  hearts  to  invite  me  to  carry  on  the  great 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry  among  you  and  in  inclining  my  heart 
to  accept  of  your  invitation. 

And  I  desire  to  bless  God  that,  after  so  much  pains  taken  to 
know  my  duty,  I  am  so  well  satisfied  with  the  clearness  of  my 
call  to  settle  among  you  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  though  I 
hope  I  am  sensible  of  my  own  unfitness,  unpreparedness,  and  in- 
sufficiency for  these  things  ;  but  being  fully  persuaded  ye  Christ  as 
king  and  head  of  his  church  has  appointed  and  established  the 
office  of  ye  ministry  to  continue  in  a  constant  succession  to  the 
end  of  time,  and  has  promised  to  be  with  his  faithful  ambassa- 
dors always  to  the  end  of  the  world,  I  do  therefore,  humbly 
leaning  on  Christ's  strength,  seriously  comply  with  your  desire  to 
take  upon  me  the  office  of  a  pastor  and  to  administer  Christ's 
ordinances  among  you. 

And  as,  I  hope,  I  do  this  with  a  desire  for  and  aim  at  the  glory 
of  God  and  our  own  mutual  good,  so  let  your  fervent  prayers  to 
God  be  that  he  would  qualify  me  for  this  work  and  adorn  me 
with  all  needful  ministerial  gifts  and  grace,  that  I  may  be  a  work- 
man that  need  not  be  ashamed,  and  that  I  may  be  prospered  in 
my  labors  among  you.  if  it  be  his  will  to  place  me  as  a  laborer 
among  you.  and  that  we  may  live  in  love  and  peace  as  followers 
of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus,  that  another  day  we  may  appear 
before  him  with  joy  and  not  with  grief. 

Thus,  asking  your  prayers,  I  rest, 

Your  humble  servant, 


DKDIIAM,  September  5,  1762. 


THE    FIRST  MINISTER  57 

Dr.  Samuel  Williams,  the  famous  Vermont  editor,  and 
a  classmate  of  Benjamin  Caryl's  at  Harvard  College,  left 
some  curious  notes  on  the  Commencement  programme 
of  his  class  in  1761,  in  which  he  picked  out  six  men 
whom  he  judged  "to  be  the  most  advantageous  men  to 
the  Commonwealth  of  any  in  the  class,  but  not  to  be 
in  the  most  honorable  stations  therein."  Speaking  of 
Benjamin  Caryl,  whom  he  included  in  this  list,  he  says, 
"  an  extraordinary  genius,  a  good  scholar  and  com- 
panion." 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  man  who  made  this 
estimate  of  Mr.  Caryl  was  himself  a  fine  scholar.  He 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  the  Uni- 
versity of  Edinburgh,  and  became  a  member  of  several 
learned  societies  abroad. 

The  parish  voted  October  11,  1762,  to  ordain  Mr. 
Caryl  on  the  loth  of  the  following  month;  and  a  vote 
of  thanks  was  extended  to  John  Battle,  who  had  gen- 
erously offered  to  entertain  the  council  at  his  own  ex- 
pense. 

As  ministers  in  those  days  were  settled  for  life,  an 
ordination  was  of  no  common  occurrence,  and  was  always 
attended  by  a  large  number  of  people.  This  was  no 
exception.  A  West  Dedham  lad,  who  wanted  to  attend 
the  services  but  did  not  know  the  way,  was  told  to  go 
out  to  the  highway  and  simply  follow  the  crowd  and 
he  would  have  no  difficulty  in  finding  the  place.  On 
the  Sunday  previous  to  Mr.  Caryl's  ordination  a  meet- 
ing was  held,  perhaps  at  the  house  of  Dea.  Joshua  Ellis, 
where  a  church  organization  was  formed,  which  con- 
sisted of  fifteen  male  members.  The  church  was  "  em- 
bodied "  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Balch,  of  the  Dedham 


58  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Second  Parish  (Norwood).  An  account  of  the  ordi- 
nation and  the  names  of  these  "  foundation  men  "  who 
organized  the  church  cannot  be  given,  as  the  church 
records  previous  to  1812  were  lost  in  the  destruction 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger's  house  in  1857. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  parish  antedates  the  church 
by  thirteen  years.  After  the  organization  of  the 
church  the  company  probably  repaired  to  the  meeting- 
house, where  a  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Balch.  A  copy  of  a  "  Confession  of  Faith  "  and  a 
"  Church  Covenant "  in  Mr.  Caryl's  handwriting  were 
found  in  the  old  parsonage  a  few  years  since.  They 
may  or  may  not  be  a  copy  of  those  adopted  and  used 
by  the  church,  but  are  given  as  illustrating  the  strong 
Calvinistic  doctrine  of  the  time. 

CONFESSION    OF    FAITH. 

You  believe  the  mysterious  doctrine  of  the  ever-adorable 
trinity,  one  eternal  God  in  three  persons, —  Clod  the  Father,  who 
is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting,  the  creator,  preserver,  and 
governor  of  all  things  visible  and  invisible :  God  the  Son,  the  only 
Saviour  and  Redeemer  of  God's  elect ;  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost, 
the  sanctifier,  quickener,  and  comforter  of  God's  children.  You 
believe  the  persons  to  be  the  same  in  substance,  equal  in  power 
and  glory,  as  the  Scriptures  testify.  You  believe  that  God  the 
Father  sent  his  son,  Jesus  Christ,  into  the  world  to  save  sinners, 
and  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  assumed  the  human  nature  into  a 
personal  union  with  his  divine,  to  accomplish  the  redemption  of 
fallen  man.  You  believe  in  the  death,  resurrection,  ascension,  and 
intercession  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  You  believe  that  there  is 
no  salvation  to  be  had  any  other  way  but  in  and  by  the  merits 
and  satisfaction  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  in  a  way  of 
faith,  repentance,  and  gospel  obedience,  wholly  exclusive  of  self- 
righteousness.  You  believe  the  Scriptures  to  be  the  word  of  God 


THE    FIRST   MINISTER  59 

given  by  inspiration,  and  the  gospel  to  be  true  and  faithful 
sayings.  You  believe  the  certainty  of  a  future  state  in  the  other 
world,  that  there  is  a  world  of  inconceivable  happiness  and 
glorious  rewards  for  all  such  as  do  truly  fear  God  and  obey  the 
gospel  of  his  Son,  and  that  there  is  a  world  of  unspeakable 
misery  for  the  wicked  and  ungodly. 

You  believe  that  as  all  men  have  sinned  so  they  must  die  or 
suffer  a  change  equivalent  thereto. 

You  believe  in  the  immortality  of  the  soul  and  the  eternity  of 
heaven's  joys  and  hell's  torments. 

You  believe  the  doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of  the  body  and  of 
the  great  and  awful  day  of  judgment,  when  the  glorious  Lord 
Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven  with  his  mighty  angels  in 
flaming  fire,  to  take  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God  and 
that  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  be 
punished  with  everlasting  destruction  from  the  presence  of  God 
and  from  the  glory  of  his  power,  when  he  shall  be  glorified  in  his 
saints  and  adored  in  them  that  believe.  Amen. 


THE    TERMS    OF    THE    COVENANT. 

You  are  now,  in  the  presence  of  God,  to  attend  unto  this  most 
gracious  covenant  and  by  his  grace  to  give  your  most  hearty 
consent  thereto.  You  do  now,  in  the  presence  of  God,  his  holy 
angels,  and  this  assembly,  in  a  most  serious  and  solemn  manner, 
according  to  the  terms  and  tenor  of  the  new  and  everlasting 
covenant,  take  the  only  living  and  true  God  to  be  your  God, 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  your  Saviour,  prophet,  priest,  and 
king,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  your  teacher,  sanctifier,  guide, 
and  comforter;  and  you  farther  promise,  in  a  solemn  manner 
(through  God's  assistance),  that  you  will  walk  sincerely  and 
upright  all  your  days,  in  obedience  to  all  his  holy  commandments 
as  they  are  or  shall  be  made  known  to  you  from  time  to  time. 
You  do  also  give  up  yourself  to  this  church  in  the  Lord,  and, 
according  to  the  will  of  God,  promising  and  covenanting  to 
cleave  to  us  and  to  walk  together  with  us,  as  an  instituted 
church  of  Christ,  engaging,  by  his  grace,  that  in  the  communion 


60  HISTORY    OF   DOYER 

of  the  church  you  will  attend  upon  the  ordinance  of  the  gospel, 
to  be  there  edified  in  your  most  holy  faith  as  opportunity  may 
convenience,  and  as  long  as  God  shall  please  to  continue  you  and 
the  gospel  ordinances  among  us. 

You  do  also  promise  to  walk  orderly  in  time  of  fellowship  and 
communion  with  all  the  church  of  Christ  amongst  us  according  to 
the  rules  of  the  holy  order  which  God  hath  appointed,  that  the 
Lord  may  be  one  and  his  home  one  in  all  churches  throughout 
all  generations,  to  his  eternal  glory  in  Christ  Jesus,  our  exalted 
Redeemer. 

THIS    YOUR    PROMISE. 

We,  then,  of  this  church,  do  joyfully  and  charitably  receive  you 
unto  our  holy  communion  and  fellowship;  and  I  do  promise  unto 
you,  in  the  name  of  the  church,  that  we,  by  the  assistance  of 
divine  grace,  will  discharge  all  duties  toward  you  that  are  incum- 
bent on  us,  that  we  will  pray  with  and  walk  toward  you  in 
brotherly  love  and  holy,  to  the  mutual  building  up  of  one  another 
in  the  faith  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel.  Amen. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  the  churches  of  New 
England  have  been  slowly  evolved,  from  otic  institu- 
tion in  the  early  time,  into  a  group  of  institutions,  for 
the  promotion  of  religion,  morality,  charity,  education, 
missionary  effort,  social  refinement,  literary  culture,  and 
civic  reform. 

Ralph  Day  and  Joseph  Haven,  two  of  the  most 
prominent  and  respected  citizens  of  the  parish,  were 
chosen  deacons,  and  continued  in  the  office  during  their 
lives. 

Deacons,  in  the  early  time,  had  not  only  regular 
duties  on  the  Sabbath  and  special  duties  at  the  com- 
munion service,  but  also  took  charge  of  prudential 
affairs  and  looked  after  the  poor  of  the  parish.  In 


6i 

accordance  with  custom  the  two  deacons  were  seated 
together  in  the  meeting-house.  They  had  charge  of 
the  vessels  used  in  the  communion  service,  and  usually 
furnished  the  sacramental  wine,  the  congregation  or 
members  contributing  towards  its  purchase.  The  com- 
munion vessels  were  usually  of  pewter,  and,  not  being 
of  much  value,  were  kept  in  the  meeting-house.  In 
1767  the  parish  voted  to  build  a  chest  in  the  pew 
next  to  the  pulpit  on  the  east  side,  for  the  church 
vessels  and  cushions.  The  deacons  had  general  charge 
of  the  church,  and  were  expected  to  take  up  all 
contributions. 

The  next  month  after  his  ordination,  December  9, 
1762,  Mr.  Caryl  married  Mrs.  Sarah  (Messinger) 
Kelloch,  widow  of  Dr.  Cornelius  Kelloch,  of  Wren- 
tham  ;  and  thus  commenced  his  family  and  parish  life 
in  this  community. 

Mr.  Caryl  purchased  the  home  of  Daniel  Wight,  and 
in  1777  built  the  parsonage  which  is  still  standing  on 
Dedham  Street,  unchanged  except  by  time.  It  was 
doubtless  intended  that  the  minister  should  build  on 
Walpole  Street,  where  eighteen  acres  and  twenty- eight 
rods  of  land  near  the  house  of  Thomas  Coughlan  had 
been  set  apart  for  a  parsonage.  To  this  grant  Jere- 
miah Fisher  added  two  acres  ;  Michael  Dwight,  two 
acres ;  Henry  Dewing,  one  acre ;  Samuel  Chickering, 
two  acres  ;  Dea.  Ephraim  Wilson,  two  acres  ;  and  Na- 
thaniel Wilson,  fifteen  rods, — •  making  a  total  of  twenty- 
seven  and  one-fourth  acres  and  three  rods.  This  land 
is  now  known  as  the  "parish  wood-lot." 

Mr.  Caryl  was  a  man  of  marked  individuality,  and 
must  have  exerted  a  strong  influence  in  the  develop- 


62  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

ment  of  the  parish  and  in  awakening  that  remarkable 
patriotism  which  was  manifested  during  the  Revolution. 
He  was  modest  and  retiring  in  his  disposition,  and 
seldom  went  abroad,  spending  his  whole  life  in  a  rare 
devotion  to  his  people.  At  a  time  when  religion  was 
at  its  lowest  ebb,  Mr.  Caryl  caused  the  family  altar 
to  be  set  up  in  nearly  every  home,  and  it  is  recorded 
that  at  one  time  there  were  only  two  prayerless  fami- 
lies in  the  whole  parish.  The  Revolutionary  War 
seemed  for  a  time  to  have  had  a  demoralizing  effect  on 
the  religious  life  of  the  people.  There  was  a  dread  of 
religion  and  great  hesitation  in  professing  it,  yet  out  of 
the  spirit  of  independence  was  born  the  liberal  church 
of  America. 

His  sermons  were  largely  an  exposition  of  Scripture, 
and  were  not  of  unusual  length.  One  hundred  and  four 
persons  united  with  the  First  Parish  Church  during  his 
ministry. 

Mr.  Caryl  is  said  to  have  been  remarkably  gifted  in 
prayer.  He  was  an  earnest  and  sincere  preacher,  but 
had  no  general  knowledge  of  literature.  His  library,  it 
was  said  by  a  witty  lawyer,  "  consisted  of  a  Bible,  a 
Concordance,  and  an  old  jack-knife."  The  Dover  His- 
torical Society  has  recently  come  into  possession  of  the 
family  Bible  used  by  Mr.  Caryl  during  his  entire  min- 
istry. This  Bible  was  doubtless  used  in  the  church 
service.  Perhaps  at  first  there  was  no  public  reading 
of  the  Bible.  The  neighboring  town  of  Framingham 
did  not  have  the  public  reading  of  the  Scriptures  until 
1792. 

The  Brattle  Street  Church  in  Boston  was  the  first 
Congregational  church  in  New  England  to  introduce 


THE    FIRST   MINISTER  63 

the  reading  of  the  Bible  into  the  church  service.  Mr. 
Caryl  was  connected  with  his  people  for  forty-nine 
years,  and  during  the  trying  times  of  the  Revolution 
made  many  personal  sacrifices.  He  took  charge  of  the 
schools,  and  fitted  the  bright  boys  for  college  ;  and  some 
who  had  already  taken  their  degrees  came  to  him  to 
study  theology. 

With  little  increase  in  wealth  or  population  in  the 
parish,  Mr.  Caryl  labored  until  nearly  eighty  years  of 
age.  During  the  last  few  years  of  his  life  he  was 
unable  to  visit  his  people  or  even  take  part  in  public 
worship ;  yet  the  parish  gave  him  a  prompt  and  gen- 
erous support  to  the  end  of  his  life,  as  due  to  one 
who  had  labored  so  long  and  faithfully  among  them. 
In  the  fall  of  1809  the  church  elected  Mr.  John 
Brewer  as  a  colleague,  to  be  settled  with  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Caryl. 

The  district  concurred  with  the  church  in  the  choice 
of  Mr.  Brewer,  and  January  3,  1810,  selected  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  on  him  and  receive  any  proposition  he 
might  wish  to  make  to  the  parish.  He  was  offered  a 
salary  of  five  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  and  the  use  of 
the  church  wood-lot.  Mr.  Brewer  considered  the  invi- 
tation favorably ;  but  the  destruction  of  the  meeting- 
house a  few  weeks  later  brought  this  matter  to  an 
abrupt  ending,  as  he  thought  the  people  in  too  humble 
circumstances  to  build  a  meeting-house  and  support  a 
minister  at  the  same  time. 

The  church  in  Needham  and  the  church  in  Dover 
were  associated  churches  ;  that  is,  the  pastors  preached 
for  each  other  the  lecture  previous  to  communion,  and 
were  thus  closely  associated  together. 


64  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

During  the  last  few  years  of  Mr.  Caryl's  life  the 
Rev.  Stephen  Palmer,  of  Needham,  performed  parochial 
duties  in  Dover,  not  only  in  visiting  the  sick,  burying 
the  dead,  and  performing  marriage  ceremonies,  but  also 
as  a  frequent  preacher.  June  16,  1813,  the  church 
extended  a  vote  of  thanks  to  Mr.  Palmer  "  for  his 
services  and  kind  attentions." 

Mr.  Caryl  died  November  14,  1811,  and  was  buried 
four  days  later,  just  at  the  entrance  of  the  little  burying- 
ground,  which  was  near  the  spot  where  he  had  given 
nearly  a  half  century  of  labor. 

"  You  can  see  his  leaning  slate 
In  the  graveyard,  and  thereon 
Read  his  name  and  date." 

At  the  funeral  service  the  Rev.  Thomas  Thatcher, 
of  West  Dedham,  made  the  introductory  prayer.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Prentis,  of  Medfield,  preached  the 
sermon,  from  2  Cor.  iv.  7.  The  Rev.  Jabez  Chickering, 
of  South  Dedham  (Norwood),  made  the  concluding 
prayer.  The  History  of  the  Mendon  Association  of 
Ministers,  published  in  1853,  thus  speaks  of  him:  — 

Xo  obituary  of  Mr.  Caryl  was  ever  published.  But  his  report 
is  of  a  goodly  savor.  He  was  greatly  beloved  by  all,  and  his 
memory  is  cherished  with  affection  and  respect.  All  are  uniform 
in  testifying  that  he  was  a  good  man  and  thoroughly  orthodox. 
He  was  remarkably  gifted  in  prayer.  When  he  delivered  his 
message,  the  tears  were  often  seen  to  roll  down  his  cheeks.  He 
kept  himself  very  much  at  home,  seldom  attending  public  meet- 
ings abroad.  He  drew  as  little  from  books  as  any  man  of  his 
time.  His  sermons  were  written  in  a  very  legible  hand,  and  the 
style  is  quite  perspicuous.  But  one  of  them  —  a  Thanksgiving 
sermon  —  was  ever  published. 


THE    FIRST  MINISTER  65 

The  Rev.  Emerson  Davis,  of  New  Britain,  Conn.,  in 
his  manuscript  History  of  Congregational  Ministers, 
gives  this  brief  account  of  Mr.  Caryl  :  — 

He  was  laid  aside  two  and  a  half  years  previous  to  his  decease. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  a  man  of  great  firmness,  and  that  such 
was  his  zeal  for  the  purity  of  religion  he  would  have  died  as  a 
martyr  upon  the  scaffold  in  defence  of  it  if  it  had  seemed 
necessary. 

At  this  distance  of  time,  in  the  absence  of  all 
records,  few  additional  facts  can  be  gathered  which 
throw  light  on  the  life  and  work  of  Mr.  Caryl.  His 
intimate  friend,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer,  of  Needham,  thus 
spoke  of  him  in  his  sermon  at  the  dedication  of  the  new 
meeting-house :  — 

This  excellent  man,  this  firm  and  unshaken  friend  of  Zion, 
deserves  an  honorable  mention  on  this  occasion. 

It  is  now  more  than  forty-eight  years  since  he  entered  upon  the 
duties  of  the  pastoral  office.  He  has  therefore  been  long  in  the 
vineyard  of  Christ,  and  we  feel  fully  authorized  to  say  that  it  has 
been  his  uniform  endeavor  to  be  a  faithful  laborer. 

The  piety  of  his  heart,  the  soundness  of  his  doctrines,  and  the 
integrity  of  his  life,  who  can  question,  who  can  impeach?  In 
him  we  behold  "an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile." 

January  2,  1812,  was  appointed  as  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer  throughout  the  parish  in  memory  of  Mr. 
Caryl. 

Public  exercises  were  held  in  the  meeting-house  ;  and 
several  clergymen  of  the  Norfolk  Congregational  Asso- 
ciation of  Ministers,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  took 
part.  After  these  exercises,  in  which  the  people  re- 
called his  faithful  labors,  his  many  virtues,  his  sterling 


66  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

character,  his  self-sacrifice  in  times  of  trial  and  danger, 
and  withal  his  rare  devotion  to  a  humble  people,  they 
went  home  to  erect  affectionately  to  his  memory  a 
stone  which  bears  the  following  inscription  :  — 

In  memory  of 
REV.    BENJ.    CARYL, 

who  died  Nov.   14,   1811. 
Aged  80  years  and  in  the  joth  year  of  his  ministry. 

"  The  fathers,  where  are  they  ? 
And  the  prophets,  do  they  live  forever  ?  " 

Erected  by  the  request  and  at  the  expense  of  his  society. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS. 

OLD  FAMILIES  —  BOOKS  AND  NEWSPAPERS  —  UNCOM- 
FORTABLE MEETING-HOUSES  —  FARM  LIFE  —  QUILT- 
ING —  FLOWERS  —  OLD  HOUSES  —  HOUSE-FURNISHINGS 
—  WOODEN  PLATES  —  PRICE  OF  FARM  PRODUCTS  — 
TRAVEL  —  "BUNDLE  HANDKERCHIEFS  ''--  LIFE  AMONG 

THE     BOYS     AND     GlRLS. 

"  [n  every  virtue  lies  concealed 

A  latent  vice,  which  might  have  ruled. 
In  every  vice  a  virtue  hides, 
Which  needed  only  to  be  schooled." 

At  the  time  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caryl's  settlement,  in 
1762,  the  parish  contained  forty-nine  houses  and  three 
hundred  and  fifty-two  inhabitants,  all  subjects  of  King 
George  III.  There  was  no  village,  or  central  settle- 
ment ;  and  scattered  over  the  entire  territory  —  a  charac- 
teristic which  has  continued  to  the  present  time  —  were 
the  lonely  farms  of  the  Wilsons,  the  Fullers,  the  Days, 
the  Richardses,  the  Wights,  the  Newells,  the  Fishers, 
the  Ellises,  the  Whitings,  the  Chickerings,  the  Battles, 
the  Bacons,  the  Joneses,  the  Aliens,  the  Masons,  the 
Gays,  the  Drapers,  the  Guys,  the  Cheneys,  the  Met  calf  s, 
and  the  Billiards. 

What  was  the  life  of  this  scattered  settlement  ?  We 
know  little  of  the  neighborly  feeling  that  existed  among 
them.  They  were  in  some  respects  like  one  large 
family,  visiting,  helping,  co-operating  with  one  another, 


68  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

especially  in  seasons  of  sickness,  bereavement,  or  fes- 
tivity. In  those  days  there  was  only  one  newspaper  in 
New  England,  and  it  was  quite  unlike  the  newspapers 
of  to-day.  It  had  a  very  small  circulation,  and  probably 
had  not  a  reader  or  subscriber  in  the  Springfield  Parish 
of  Dedham. 

This  was  the  age  of  pamphlets,  when  Paine,  Jeffer- 
son, and  Franklin  issued  their  wonderful  productions, 
which  did  so  much  to  foster  and  stimulate  the  spirit  of 
independence. 

Books  were  scarce ;  but  the  few  read  were  good,  as 
only  books  of  great  literary  merit  were  brought  across 
the  Atlantic.  The  Bible  was  in  every  home,  and  read 
above  all  other  books.  The  catechism,  Watts's  Hymns, 
and  the  almanac,  were  next  in  importance.  There 
were  no  daily  newspapers.  The  first  daily  newspaper 
was  published  in  London  in  1702,  and  the  first  attempt 
in  the  United  States  was  made  some  ninety  years  later. 
The  Boston  Daily  Advertiser,  although  not  the  first 
newspaper  published  in  America,  is,  nevertheless,  one 
of  the  oldest  newspapers  in  the  country.  Weekly 
papers  were  issued  previous  to  this  time,  but  had  a 
limited  circulation.  During  Mr.  Caryl's  time  a  news- 
paper was  a  rarity,  much  talked  about  and  carefully 
treasured.  What  would  our  modern  life  be  without  a 
daily  newspaper  ?  It  is  no  longer  a  luxury,  but  a 
necessity,  guiding  and  inspiring  nations  as  well  as 
individuals. 

Farmers  gathered  at  the  tavern  to  get  the  news  from 
those  who,  returning  from  Boston,  tarried  to  get  a  mug 
of  flip  or  blackstrap  and  to  relate  whatever  of  interest 
they  had  learned  at  the  metropolis.  Before  the  day  of 


SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS  69 

newspapers  and  magazines  the  minister  was  a  person  of 
vast  and  controlling  influence  in  every  community. 

The  Sunday  sermon,  for  the  most  part,  was  all  the 
people  had  to  think  about  during  the  week. 

The  people  of  the  Springfield  Parish  were  fortunate 
in  living  near  Boston,  the  center  of  civilization  in  New 
England. 

Seated  in  the  comfortable  churches  of  to-day,  we 
cannot  *  realize  the  discomforts  of  the  church  service 
of  a  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago  in  the  unheated 
meeting-house  in  bitter  weather,  which  grew  colder 
and  colder  as  the  season  advanced.  The  women  tried 
to  make  the  service  endurable  by  means  of  little  metal 
foot-stoves,  encased  in  a  frame  and  filled  with  live  coals, 
which  gave  forth  a  little  heat ;  but,  strange  as  it  may 
seem,  there  was  strong  opposition  to  the  introduction 
of  stoves  into  the  meeting-house,  and  it  was  only  after 
various  attempts  that  the  Dover  Parish  voted  to  intro- 
duce them.  The  first  Sunday  on  which  stoves  were 
placed  in  the  meeting-house  Major  Burridge  did  not 
return  to  the  afternoon  service  because,  he  said,  the 
heat  gave  him  a  headache.  Imagine  his  surprise,  how- 
ever, when  he  learned  that  on  that  occasion  no  fire 
was  kindled  in  them. 

Before  the  introduction  of  stoves  into  the  meeting- 
house it  was  customary  to  have  the  "noon  house," 
where  the  members  of  the  congregation  who  lived  at 
a  distance  could  spend  the  noon  hour  and  eat  their 
lunch,  which  usually  consisted  of  rye  bread,  cheese, 
and  cider  gingerbread.  Here  the  women  replenished 
their  foot-stoves  for  the  afternoon  service,  and  all 
engaged  in  the  idle  gossip  of  the  neighborhood.  The 


70  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

men  gathered  around  the  blazing  fire  in  the  bar-room 
of  Newell's  inn,  and  ate  gingerbread  and  cheese.  In 
summer  the  women  strolled  through  the  burying- 
ground,  and  read  on  the  gravestones,  year  by  year,  the 
added  names  of  neighbors  and  friends. 

The  farmers  of  this  parish  were  a  happy  people,  who 
owned  the  humble  homes  they  lived  in  and  the  land 
they  cultivated  for  a  support.  Their  linen  was  made 
from  the  garden  flax,  and  their  clothes  from  cloth  of 
which  the  material  was  spun,  woven,  and  dyed  by  the 
hands  of  the  busy  housewife.  The  cutting  of  ship- 
timber,  the  burning  of  charcoal,  the  clearing  and  tilling 
of  the  land,  kept  busy  the  happy  yeomen.  In  winter 
they  were  engaged  in  ox-teaming  from  Dover  to  Boston. 
Here  they  found  a  sale  for  their  timber,  as  Boston,  then 
a  city  of  less  than  twenty  thousand  population,  was 
largely  engaged  in  ship-building  and  had  many  sails 
upon  the  water, — 

"  The  men  of  yore  were  stout  and  poor. 
And  sailed  for  bread  to  every  shore." 

A  hundred  years  ago  farmers  were  very  careful  of 
wood,  fearing  the  supply  would  be  exhausted.  One 
resident  of  Strawberry  Hill  said,  "Wood  would  be 
awful  high  when  it  was  all  gone." 

Those  who  know  how  easily  birch-bark  kindles,  and 
how  difficult  it  is  to  burn  green  birch-wood,  on  account 
of  the  great  amount  of  sap  it  holds,  will  appreciate  the 
following  :  A  Dover  farmer  took  a  load  of  green  birch- 
wood  to  market.  A  purchaser  appeared  who  asked 
what  kind  of  wood  it  was.  "Well,"  said  the  farmer, 
"  it  will  light  the  quickest  and  last  the  longest  of  any 


SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS  71 

wood  you  ever  bought."  Thinking  these  desirable  qual- 
ities, the  customer  immediately  closed  the  bargain  ;  and 
the  wood  was  delivered.  He  did  not  fail,  however,  to 
call  on  the  farmer  the  next  time  he  was  in  town,  and 
confirm  the  truth  of  the  recommendation. 

On  another  occasion  a  farmer  took  a  load  of  poplar- 
wood  to  Boston.  Struck  by  the  straightness  of  the 
grain  and  the  whiteness  of  the  wood,  a  customer  was 
prompted  to  ask  if  it  was  walnut,  to  which  question  the 
farmer  replied  that  it  was  not  walnut.  "  Knot  walnut  ?  " 
said  the  man,  "  I  never  heard  of  that  kind  before  "  ;  and, 
learning  the  price,  which  the  shrewd  farmer  placed  a 
little  above  ordinary  walnut,  he  immediately  engaged 
the  load,  and  ordered  it  delivered  at  his  door. 

The  process  of  filtering  cider  through  sand  was 
called  "running  it  through  sand."  A  farmer  supplied 
Boston  market  with  cider  "  run  through  sand "  by 
merely  running  his  horses  over  the  sandy  road  between 
Dover  and  Needham. 

The  same  farmer,  having  a  quantity  of  strong  vine- 
gar, extended  it  with  an  equal  quantity  of  water.  A 
customer  tested  it,  and  remarked,  "  It  seems  to  me  this 
vinegar  is  watered."  "Well,"  said  the  farmer,  "if  it 
contains  one  drop  of  water,  it  is  half  water."  Failing  to 
realize  that  it  could  be  watered  to  such  an  extent,  it 
was  purchased  at  the  full  market  price. 

In  the  busy  season  there  was  little  to  break  the 
monotony  of  daily  life,  but  in  the  winter-time  there  was 
much  visiting  among  the  neighbors.  The  women  gave 
many  tea-parties,  to  which  the  men  were  usually  invited 
in  the  evening ;  and  these  parties  did  much  to  lighten 
labor  and  privation.  The  women  early  sought  the  co- 


72  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

operation  of  their  neighbors  in  quilting-parties.  At  odd 
times  small  pieces  of  calico  were  cut  in  various  shapes 
and  sewed  together.  This  work  furnished  an  opportu- 
nity for  the  display  of  taste  ;  and  these  quilts,  when 
completed,  were  often  quite  beautiful  and  artistic.  The 
women  acquired  great  skill  in  the  use  of  the  needle,  and 
found  time  to  embroider  dainty  articles  and  to  put  into 
home-made  linen  such  tiny  stitches  as  would  almost 
defy  the  skill  of  seamstresses  of  to-day. 

The  early  settlers  found  ample  occupation  for  the 
employment  of  their  time  in  supplying  the  necessaries 
of  life.  Nevertheless,  they  did  not  wholly  ignore  the 
aesthetic  part  of  their  natures.  The  love  of  flowers  is 
one  of  the  most  spontaneous  of  emotions.  They  were 
first  cultivated  in  the  vicinity  by  Indians  ;  and  the  beau- 
tiful roses  which  grew  on  the  "Indian  farm,"  just 
across  the  line  in  Natick,  were  especially  sought  and 
admired.  It  is  a  touching  fact  that  in  the  hard  and 
stern  life  of  our  fathers  time  and  a  place  were  found 
for  the  flower-garden,  which  was  the  special  care 
of  the  women  of  the  household,  and  was  the  only 
pleasure-ground  of  the  estate. 

How  anxiously  the  women  watched  the  little  slip  or 
cutting,  which  by  skilful  hand  was  rooted  into  plant  or 
flower !  Alice  Morse  I^arle  says,  "  A  garden  was  cer- 
tainly the  greatest  refreshment  to  the  spirit  of  a  woman 
in  the  colonial  days  and  the  purest  of  her  pleasures,  too 
often  her  only  pleasure." 

How  carefully  they  cultivated  such  herbs  as  were 
used  for  "  physick,"  -  —  bloodwort,  wormwood,  savory, 
thyme,  sage,  spearmint,  rue,  pennyroyal,  fennel,  cori- 
ander, dill,  tansy,  and  anise  ! 


73 

"  They  hold  a  cure  for  every  ill, 

A  balm  for  every  woe, 
When  gathered  in  the  morning  dew,— 
The  herbs  of  long  ago." 

With  what  pains  they  grew  the  fragrant  lavender, 
which,  when  dried,  was  put  among  their  linen  !  With 
what  symmetry  the  box  border  was  placed  beside  the 
path  in  the  front  yard,  and  the  lilac-bush,  the  flowering 
currant,  and  the  blush  rose,  the  white  rose,  and  the 
cinnamon  rose  were  arranged  upon  the  grounds  ! 

What  a  succession  of  hardy  flowers  appeared  dur- 
ing the  spring  and  autumn, —  the  white  and  yellow 
daffy,  the  tulip,  the  peony,  honeysuckle,  fleur-de-lis, 
lady's-delight,  canterbury-bell,  French  pinks,  larkspur, 
tiger-lily,  verbena,  hollyhock,  yellow  marigold,  sweet- 
william,  phlox,  petunia,  portulacca,  candytuft,  gilly- 
flower, sun-flower,  polianthus,  poppy,  lupine,  balsam, 
stock,  aster,  bachelor's-button,  chrysanthemum,  and 
cockscomb !  Even  the  English  leek  was  planted  on 
the  rocks,  and  sad,  indeed,  was  the  fate  of  that  house- 
hold when  a  leek  was  allowed  to  blossom  ;  for,  in  the 
vernacular  of  their  superstition,  it  was  set  down  as  a 
sure  indication  of  a  death  in  the  family.  \Vho  can  esti- 
mate the  pleasure,  the  aesthetic  value,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  the  flower-garden  in  their  humble  lives  ? 

Some  curious  customs  prevailed.  On  Candlemas  Day 
they  ate  rye  pancakes,  in  the  belief  that  whoever  did 
so  would  not  want  for  money  during  the  year.  The 
custom  was  largely  observed  and  is  still  kept  up  by 
some  families  in  remembrance  of  a  past  generation. 

Although  widely  scattered,  theirs  was  not  the  isolated 
life  of  the  farmers  of  to-day  in  the  Dakotas  or  Nebraska, 


74  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

who,  coming  from  many  lands  and  climes,  have  nothing 
in  common  in  history  or  ancestry. 

The  people  of  the  Springfield  Parish  were  largely 
descended  from  the  early  settlers  in  Dedham ;  and, 
whenever  they  met,  they  had  a  common  past  to  talk 
about. 

In  their  isolation  the  life  of  the  women  was  blessed 
through  the  handicraft  of  the  age,  which  really  added 
to  their  comfort,  intelligence,  and  contentment.  In  this 
respect  they  were  better  off  than  the  women  of  the 
pioneer  homes  of  to-day,  where  the  sound  of  the  spin- 
ning-wheel is  never  heard,  and  where  the  stockings  and 
clothes,  together  with  other  articles,  are  purchased 
ready-made. 

Some  of  the  houses  built  by  the  early  settlers  are  still 
standing,—  as  the  Glassett  house,  1 748  ;  the  Arnold 
Wight  house,  1755  ;  the  George  E.  Chickering  house, 
1769.  The  first  houses  were  built  on  hill-tops  to  avoid 
the  gloom  of  the  forest,  and  universally  faced  the  south, 
no  matter  which  way  the  road  ran,  with  roofs  slanting 
in  the  rear  to  within  a  few  feet  of  the  ground.  If 
painted  at  all,  red  was  used.  Previous  to  the  Revo- 
lution, houses  were  seldom  painted  white,  and  the 
diamond-shaped  window-pane  was  almost  universal. 
The  large  chimney  in  the  center  of  the  house  was  con- 
spicuous, and  usually  furnished  three  fireplaces  in  as 
many  rooms  on  the  first  floor.  Every  window  on  the 
south  side  of  the  house  was  a  sun-dial,  and  by  means  of 
a  "  noon  mark"  told  twelve  o'clock  with  the  accuracy 
of  a  chronometer. 

The  sleeping-rooms  were  without  means  of  heating ; 
and  in  sickness,  or  when  a  guest  was  present  in  winter, 


SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS  75 

the  warming-pan,  a  shallow  brass  pan  with  a  heavy 
cover,  was  brought  into  use.  The  beds  were  of  feathers, 
and  rested  on  a  sack  of  straw.  The  bedstead  was  of 
maple,  and  was  corded  with  a  small  rope  stretched 
crosswise,  which  held  the  bedstead  firmly  together. 
The  bedstead  and  the  chest  of  drawers  were  the  most 
important  articles  of  furniture  in  every  house. 

The  kitchen  was  one  of  large  dimensions,  whose  fire- 
place was  furnished  with  andirons,  crane,  pothooks  and 
trammels  ;  while  the  shovel,  tongs,  poker,  and  bellows 
were  at  hand.  The  wooden  settle,  of  which  there  are 
some  fine  specimens  in  town,  stood  near  the  fireplace. 
The  brick  oven  was  a  much-used  contrivance,  and  when 
heated  with  fagots  furnished  a  complete  system  for 
baking.  Here  were  baked  the  pumpkin  pies,  the  Indian 
puddings,  the  brown  bread,  and  pork  and  beans  which 
have  made  New  England  famous.  In  kindling  the  fire 
the  tinder-box  was  often  brought  into  use,  a  spark  being 
struck  with  a  flint-and-steel,  and  a  bit  of  the  tinder 
lighted,  which  in  turn  kindled  a  bit  of  wood  which  had 
previously  been  tipped  with  brimstone.  At  bedtime  the 
embers  were  carefully  covered  with  ashes,  and  usually 
kept  until  morning ;  but,  when  the  fire  was  lost  and  the 
tinder  was  damp,  somebody  had  to  go  to  the  nearest 
house  to  get  a  live  coal,  which  was  carried  with  a  pair 
of  tongs. 

There  was  no  carpet  on  the  floor  of  the  "best  room," 
but  numerous  braided  rugs  of  a  variety  of  colors,  a  table, 
and  high-backed,  splint-bottomed  chairs.  The  simple 
furniture  in  these  early  homes  was  all  brought  over  from 
England,  many  pieces  of  which,  made  of  choice  wood, 
are  still  in  existence  in  the  homes  of  those  descended 
from  these  settlers. 


76  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Wooden  bowls,  plates,  and  spoons  were  used,  with 
pewter  platters  and  porringers.  The  introduction  of 
tea  and  coffee,  which  was  drunk  from  cups  and  sau- 
cers, banished  the  porringer.  When  first  introduced, 
crockery  plates  were  objected  to  because  it  was  thought 
they  dulled  the  knives. 

The  kitchen  was  usually  furnished  with  two  spinning- 
wheels,  a  small  one  for  flax  and  a  large  one  for  wool,  on 
which  was  spun  the  linen  thread  and  woollen  yarn  which 
by  means  of  hand-looms  was  woven  into  cloth.  Once 
a  year  the  itinerant  tailoress  and  shoemaker  visited  the 
home  to  make  up  a  year's  supply  of  clothes  and  shoes. 
Around  the  kitchen  were  hung,  in  early  autumn,  a 
year's  supply  of  fragrant  herbs,  dried  apples,  red  pep- 
pers, and  selected  ears  of  seed-corn,  together  with  a 
supply  of  crookneck  squashes,  which  sometimes  kept  in 
sound  condition  during  the  entire  year  ;  and  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  cranberries  were  at  hand. 

The  cheese-press  was  placed  in  a  little  room  adjoining 
the  kitchen  ;  and  there  was  made  the  wholesome  cheese, 
which,  taken  from  the  press,  was  placed  upon  shelves, 
and  daily  turned  and  buttered.  In  those  days  no 
butcher  made  triweekly  rounds ;  and  the  farmer  had 
little  fresh  meat  except  at  pig-killing,  or  when  a  lamb, 
or  calf,  or  steer  was  slaughtered. 

An  exchange  of  meat  was  often  made  with  a  neigh- 
bor, and  in  this  way  the  supply  was  extended  over  a 
large  part  of  the  year.  Much  rye  and  cornbread  and 
many  vegetables  were  eaten.  Potatoes  were  very  spar- 
ingly partaken  of  at  first,  as  they  were  thought  to  be 
poisonous.  The  few  left  over  in  the  spring  were  care- 
fully buried  lest  they  should  be  eaten  by  a  horse  or 


SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS  77 

cow.  Apple-sauce,  sometimes  called  apple-butter,  which 
was  made  by  boiling  unfermented  cider  down  almost  to 
a  syrup,  in  which  the  pared  and  quartered  apples  were 
placed,  together  with  some  quinces  for  flavoring,  made 
a  very  appetizing  preserve.  As  the  early  houses  had 
no  underpinning,  when  winter  approached  they  were 
banked  up  with  leaves,  sawdust,  or  earth,  for  warmth 
and  protection  to  the  roots,  fruit,  cider,  and  other 
articles  which  were  stored  in  the  cellar. 

The  early  settlers  did  not  cultivate  a  great  variety  of 
fruit.  Their  apple  and  pear  trees,  some  specimens  of 
which  are  still  standing,  were  grown  from  seeds  brought 
over  from  England.  The  thrifty  farmer  made  ample 
provision  for  housing  his  stock  and  protecting  his  hay, 
wagons,  and  farming  tools  in  large  and  well-kept  barns 
and  sheds,  which  were  often  in  better  repair  than  the 
house,  and  were  the  admiration  of  foreigners.  In  those 
days  there  was  no  application  of  science  to  agriculture, 
no  special  adaptation  of  the  plant  to  the  soil. 

In  haying-time  the  farmer  commenced  to  mow  with 
his  scythe  by  four  o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  grass 
was  all  spread,  turned,  and  raked  by  hand.  The  fields 
were  broken  up  and  the  sward  turned  under  by  means 
of  a  wooden  or  wrought-iron  plough,  which  was  made 
by  the  town  blacksmith.  The  ground  was  pulverized 
for  planting  by  means  of  cross-ploughing  and  the  use 
of  the  toothed  harrow,  which  is  now  used  only  in 
seeding.  All  hoeing  was  done  by  hand,  and  the  farmer 
was  given  to  hilling  rather  than  to  level  culture. 

Travel  was  largely  on  horseback  ;  and  many  now  in 
middle  life  can  remember  the  horse-blocks,  which  were 
placed  at  convenient  points  in  town  to  assist  in  mount- 


78  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

ing  and  dismounting  from  the  saddle  or  the  pillion  hung 
across  the  horse's  back. 

The  price  of  farm  products  fluctuated  greatly  accord- 
ing to  local  abundance  or  scarcity.  As  the  price  of 
commodities  was  very  low,  there  was  little  money  with 
which  to  purchase  anything  more  than  the  bare  neces- 
saries of  life.  Farmers'  families  had  an  abundance  of 
everything  which  could  be  grown  or  produced,  but 
there  was  little  bought  for  the  household.  Wild  game 
was  plentiful.  A  record  made  in  the  winter  of  1752—53 
says  "plenty  of  pigeons."  In  the  spring  there  was  an 
abundance  of  fish  in  the  Charles  River.  The  wild 
pigeon  has  become  almost  extinct,  while  thirty  years 
ago  flocks  of  fifty  or  more  were  seen  feeding  on  the 
blueberries  in  swamps.  Wages  were  very  low :  farm 
hands  were  paid  from  thirty-three  to  fifty  cents  a  day, 
while  well-grown  lads  received  from  four  to  five  dollars 
a  month.  Men  often  labored  a  day  for  a  "  sheep's  head 
and  pluck."  Milk  sold  for  two  cents  a  quart,  and  butter 
for  thirteen  cents  a  pound.  Apples  were  worth  twelve 
and  a  half  cents  a  bushel.  The  use  of  a  yoke  of  oxen 
for  a  day  was  twenty-five  cents.  Shoes  cost  sixty  cents 
a  pair  to  make,  and  board  was  one  dollar  a  week. 

We  often  read  of  the  bundle  handkerchief  as  though 
it  was  an  institution  peculiar  to  Salem.  It  was  com- 
monly used  in  Dover  early  in  the  present  century.  It 
was  doubtless  originally  introduced  into  Salem,  like  blue 
china  and  preserved  ginger,  through  the  East  India 
trade.  As  its  name  indicates,  the  bundle  handkerchief 
was  used  for  enclosing  all  sorts  of  things,  and  came  into 
daily  use  in  neighborhood  visits,  in  shopping,  and  for 
all  purposes  for  which  travelling-bags  are  now  employed. 


SOCIAL    LIFE    AND    CONDITIONS  79 

These  handkerchiefs  were  made  of  a  variety  of  material, 
—  silk  and  linen  for  visiting  purposes,  while  for  ordi- 
nary use  they  were  made  of  remnants  of  various  kinds. 

The  boys  labored  with  their  fathers  on  the  farm  with- 
out compensation  until  they  reached  their  majority ;  and 
the  girls  assisted  their  mother  in  the  housework,  which, 
in  addition  to  the  ordinary  work  of  to-day,  embraced 
every  form  of  spinning  and  weaving  cotton,  wool,  and 
flax,  knitting,  tailoring,  making  men's  underclothing, 
quilts,  comforters,  dyeing,  making  of  soap,  candles, 
yeast,  browning  of  coffee,  drying  of  fruit  and  vegetables, 
and  pickling  and  salting  of  meats. 

The  monotony  of  the  farm-life  for  boys  and  girls  was 
broken  only  by  a  few  months  of  the  most  elementary 
schooling  in  the  winter  season,  they  having  earned  the 
privilege  of  going  to  school  by  doing  "  chores  "  in  the 
morning  and  again  at  evening. 

There  was  no  effort  made  to  furnish  amusement  for 
the  children.  On  the  contrary,  they  were  taught,  as 
soon  as  they  were  able,  to  work.  Later  they  were 
entertained  with  stories  of  Moll  Pitcher,  an  uncanny 
woman  of  Salem,  who  was  supposed  once  in  a  while 
to  travel  through  this  region.  In  the  early  fall  the  boys 
trapped  the  rabbit  and  partridge,  and  later,  in  company 
with  their  fathers  and  elder  brothers,  fished  for  pickerel 
through  the  ice. 

When  the  snow  lay  hard  and  smooth  on  the  highway, 
or  deep  and  crusted  in  the  fields,  was  the  time  for 
moonlight  slides.  Then  the  boys  and  girls  on  impro- 
vised sleds  coasted  down  the  steepest  hills. 

During  the  winter  months  singing-schools  were  held 
in  the  schoolhouse,  and  spelling-schools  also,  where  the 


8o  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

best  spellers  chose  their  sides,  and  all  stood  up  in  rivalry 
to  spell  each  other  down. 

In  the  fall,  under  the  harvest  moon,  frequent  husking- 
parties  were  given,  where  in  shed  or  barn  the  merry 
huskers,  with  the  girls  of  the  neighborhood,  carried  out 
in  spirit  Whittier's  huskers'  song :  — 

••  Heap  high  the  farmer's  wintry  hoard. 

Heap  high  the  golden  corn  ; 
No  richer  gift  has  Autumn  poured 
From  out  her  lavish  horn. 

"  Let  earth  withhold  her  goodly  root, 

Let  mildew  blight  the  rye, 
Give  to  the  worm  the  orchard's  fruit, 
The  wheatfield  to  the  fly  : 

"  But  let  the  good  old  crop  adorn 

The  hills  our  fathers  trod  ; 
Still  let  us,  for  his  golden  corn, 
Send  up  our  thanks  to  God." 


CHAPTER   VII. 

COLONIAL    CONTESTS. 

EARLY  MILITARY  ORGANIZATION  —  LOUISBURG  —  CROWN 
POINT  — REPEAL  OF  THE  STAMP  ACT  —  SONS  OF  LIB- 
ERTY —  BOSTON  TEA-PARTY  —  COMMITTEE  APPOINTED  TO 
SEE  THAT  NO  TEA  WAS  DRUNK  IN  THE  SPRINGFIELD 
PARISH  —  VOTE  NOT  TO  PURCHASE  IMPORTED  ARTICLES 
—  COMMITTEE  OF  CORRESPONDENCE  —  TORIES. 

"  My  country,  't  is  of  thee. 
Sweet  land  of  liberty, — 

Of  thee  I  sing: 
Land  where  my  fathers  died. 
Land  of  the  pilgrims'  pride, 
From  every  mountain  side 

Let  freedom  ring  !  " 

As  Dover  was  only  a  parish  in  Dedham,  and  unrecog- 
nized in  any  official  records,  it  is  impossible  to  make  its 
history  as  complete  as  that  of  an  incorporated  town  ;  yet 
we  have  made  as  full  a  record  as  possible  of  the  noble 
part  our  fathers  bore  in  the  colonial  contests  and  in  the 
great  struggle  for  American  independence. 

The  children  in  our  public  schools  will  find  in  this 
local  history  the  successive  steps  for  independence, 
which  are  referred  to  in  their  school  histories  as  the 
work  of  a  few  leaders,  participated  in  by  their  own 
ancestors  in  the  Dedham  town-meeting. 

While  the  French  were  striving  to  gain  supremacy 
in  New  England,  their  Indian  allies  were  constantly 
engaged  in  petty  border  wars  on  the  frontier,  surprising 


82  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

lonely  hamlets,  slaughtering  many  women  and  children, 
and  torturing  to  death  many  fighting-men. 

To  meet  the  dangers  to  which  they  were  exposed,  a 
militia  was  maintained  for  many  years.  Sometimes  the 
residents  of  several  parishes  united  to  form  a  company. 
Such  an  organization  existed  in  West  Dedham  as  late 
as  1754,  and  the  following  residents  of  the  Springfield 
Parish  were  members  of  the  company  under  Capt. 
Joseph  Richards  :  — 

John  Jones,  Ensign. 

John  Chickering.  Sergeant. 

Hezekiah  Allen,  Jr..  Oliver  Bacon,  Corporals. 

Privates. 

Jonathan  Bullard.  Ezra  Gay,  John  Draper,  Jr., 

Daniel  Whiting,  Samuel  Chickering,  Jonathan  Whiting.  Jr., 

William  Whiting,  Nathaniel  Wilson,  Lemuel  Richards, 

Ebenezer  Battle,  John  Griggs,  Thomas  Draper. 

Daniel  Chickering,  Joseph  Draper,  Joseph  Draper,  Jr.. 

Eliphalet  Chickering,  Ralph  Day,  Thomas  Richards, 

Josiah  Fisher.  Joshua  Ellis,  Hezekiah  Allen, 

John  Battle,  Jonathan  Whiting.  Jonathan  Battle, 

John  Mason,  Richard  Bacon,  Eleazer  Allen, 

James  Draper,  Jonathan  Battle,  Jr..  Samuel  Metcalf. 

Timothy  Guy.  Ephraim  Bacon,  Joseph  Chickering. 

A  Dedham  company  probably  took  part  at  Louisburg 
in  1758,  as  the  records  of  the  Second  Parish  (Norwood) 
show  that  five  residents  of  that  parish,  in  addition  to 
the  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Balch,  who  was  a  chaplain, 
were  officers  in  a  company.  Among  so  many  officers 
there  must  have  been  some  privates.  All  the  Dedham 
parishes  were  doubtless  represented  in  the  signal  vic- 
tory at  Louisburg,  but  the  names  of  soldiers  cannot 


COLONIAL    CONTESTS  83 

be  given.  In  the  contest  at  Crown  Point,  N.Y.,  in 
1755,  Daniel  Whiting  and  Timothy  Guy  took  part  in 
Capt.  William  Bacon's  company.  Others  were  engaged 
at  different  times  and  places  as  follows  :  Timothy  Ellis, 
Lemuel  Richards,  David  Cleaveland,  Hezekiah  Gay, 
Thomas  Larrabee,  and  Ephraim  Richards. 

We  must  remember  that  the  people  were  now  poor, 
that  they  had  little  more  than  the  necessities  and  lesser 
comforts  of  life.  They  were  engaged  in  clearing  and 
subduing  lands,  and  not  in  those  trades  which  create 
wealth.  They  were  making  it  possible  for  the  colony 
to  grow  and  flourish.  There  was  not  a  man  in  all  New 
England  who  would  be  considered  rich  in  England. 
Burke  in  1763  said,  "Some  of  the  most  considerable 
provinces  of  America,  such,  for  instance,  as  Massachu- 
setts Bay  and  Connecticut,  have  not  in  each  of  them 
two  men  who  can  afford  at  a  distance  from  their  estates 
to  spend  a  thousand  pounds  a  year,"  and,  as  an  argu- 
ment against  the  thought  of  their  representation,  said, 
"  How  can  these  provinces  be  represented  at  Westmin- 
ster ?  "  Dr.  Franklin  testified  in  1766,  "In  my  opinion 
there  is  not  gold  and  silver  enough  in  the  colonies  to 
pay  the  stamp  duty  for  one  year."  The  colonies  were 
forced  to  trade  with  England  to  such  an  extent  that 
Burke  said,  "The  north  provinces  import  from  Great 
Britain  ten  times  more  than  they  send  in  return  to  us." 
This  occasioned  shortness  in  gold  and  silver,  and  most 
of  the  trade  consequently  among  individuals  was  by 
barter.  Massachusetts,  with  a  population  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  thousand,  less  than  half  the  present 
population  of  Boston,  expended  during  the  French 
and  Indian  War  on  her  own  account  four  hundred  and 


84  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

ninety  thousand  pounds  sterling,  which  burdened  the 
colony  with  debt. 

After  the  close  of  the  French  and  Indian  War,  in 
1765,  a  new  difficulty  arose.  The  war  had  added 
greatly  to  the  expenses  of  the  government  in  Great 
Britain  ;  and,  as  America  had  shared  in  the  benefit,  the 
British  government  thought  she  should  share  also  in  the 
expense,  forgetting  that  the  Americans  had  contributed 
in  their  way  and  had  debts  also  to  pay.  The  province 
of  Massachusetts  furnished  nearly  thirty  thousand  sol- 
diers and  seamen,  and  it  is  said  that  one  year  in  particu- 
lar every  fifth  man  was  engaged  in  war.  This  being 
true,  a  place  so  near  Boston  as  the  Springfield  Parish 
must  have  been  represented  by  a  goodly  number  of 
men, —  more  than  those  whose  names  have  been 
recorded. 

To  meet  the  expenses  of  the  small  force  which  was 
kept  up  in  America  as  defence  against  the  Indians,  the 
English  government  in  1 764  passed  the  famous  Stamp 
Act.  The  enforcement  of  this  law  caused  great  wrath 
in  Dedham.  Samuel  Dexter,  Esq.,  represented  the 
town  in  the  General  Court  ;  and  he  received  the  follow- 
ing instructions  from  a  committee  of  seven  chosen  by 
the  town,  of  which  committee  Col.  John  Jones,  of  the 
Springfield  Parish,  was  a  prominent  member  :  — 

To  SAMUEL  DEXTER,  ESQ.  : 

Sir:  —  The  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Dedham,  greatly  alarmed  at  the  late  burdens  which  the  Parlia- 
ment of  Great  Britain  has  laid  upon  the  colonies,  particularly  at 
the  tax  imposed  on  us  by  the  Stamp  Act,  so  called,  and  being 
desirous  by  all  regular  and  legal  methods  to  do  what  lies  in  our 
power  to  prevent  the  difficulties  in  which  we  shall  be  involved  by 


COLONIAL    CONTESTS  85 

the  operation  of  the  said  Act,  if  the  same  should  take  place  in 
this  province,  do  now  instruct  you  that,  while  you  appear  at  and 
represent  this  town  in  the  Great  and  General  Court,  you  do  by  no 
means  join  in  any  public  measures  for  countenancing  and  assist- 
ing in  the  execution  of  the  said  Act. 

It  being  the  sense  of  the  town  that  our  rights  as  British  sub- 
jects, which  are  founded  in  those  that  are  common  to  all  mankind, 
are  by  this  Act  greatly  infringed  upon,  and  that  our  invaluable 
charter  rights  are  also  thereby  in  a  great  measure  violated,  and 
not  being  sensible  that  this  province  has  by  any  disloyal  or  un- 
worthy conduct  forfeited  the  privileges  it  enjoyed,  we  do  there- 
fore, in  justice  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity,  direct  you  that 
you  be  not  wanting  in  your  endeavor  in  the  General  Assembly  to 
have  these  rights  in  direct  terms  asserted  and  vindicated,  which 
being  left  on  record  will  be  a  testimony  for  us,  in  future  genera- 
tions, that  we  did  not  tamely  acquiesce  in  the  loss  of  our  liberty. 
To  do  this  we  think  it  our  duty ;  and  we  desire  thus  in  the  way  of 
our  duty  to  trust  in  the  good  providence  of  God,  which  often  has 
and  we  hope  will  again  appear  for  our  relief,  however  dark  the 
prospect  may  appear. 

As  we  have  an  unquestionable  right  to  give  you  the  foregoing 
instructions,  so,  we  doubt  not,  you  will  consider  it  as  your  duty  to 
pay  all  due  attention  thereto  and  strictly  observe  the  same.  All 
other  matters  we  leave  to  your  prudence,  trusting  you  will  always 
act  as  you  judge  most  for  the  interests  of  the  province  in  general 
and  of  this  town  in  particular. 

The  news  of  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act  in  May, 
1766,  was  an  occasion  of  great  rejoicing,  and  in  few 
places  more  so  than  in  Dedham.  A  committee  of  the 
Sons  of  Liberty,  of  which  Col.  Ebenezer  Battle,  of 
the  Springfield  Parish,  was  a  prominent  member,  was 
chosen  to  erect  the  famous  Pillar  of  Liberty ;  and  his 
name  is  still  read  on  the  granite  base,  as  it  stands  on 
the  Dedham  church  green. 


86  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Barre,  one  of  the  members  of  Parliament  who  spoke 
against  the  Stamp  Act,  referred  to  the  agitators  in 
America  as  the  "  sons  of  liberty."  This  phrase  was 
taken  up  and  adopted  as  the  name  of  a  powerful  organ- 
ization, the  members  of  which  agreed  to  buy  no  British 
goods.  The  Sons  of  Liberty  had  a  large  membership 
in  the  Springfield  Parish.  Toryism  was  severely  de- 
nounced, and  citizens  showing  any  sympathy  with 
Great  Britain  were  waited  on  by  delegates  of  the  Sons 
of  Liberty. 

Col.  John  Jones  held  a  commission  as  justice  under 
the  King.  As  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  Boston  com- 
pelled Oliver,  the  stamp  collector,  to  resign  his  office 
under  the  Liberty  Tree,  so  the  Sons  of  Liberty  here  in 
1774,  under  a  spreading  tree  which  is  still  standing, 
requested  Col.  John  Jones  to  resign  his  commission  as 
a  magistrate  to  King  George.  He  did  not  think  it  best 
to  refuse  to  comply  with  this  pressing  invitation  ;  and 
it  is  said,  to  Colonel  Jones's  great  credit,  that  in  after 
years  he  became  a  loyal  supporter  of  the  new  govern- 
ment. He  had  two  sons  who  served  in  the  Revolution. 
His  oldest  son,  John  Jones,  Jr.,  died  in  the  Revolution- 
ary service  at  Crown  Point,  July  4,  1776. 

At  a  town-meeting  held  March  5,  1770,  at  the  Ded- 
ham  First  Parish  meeting-house,  it  was  voted  "that  as 
the  duty  on  tea  furnishes  so  large  a  sum  towards  ye 
maintenance  and  support  of  an  almost  innumerable  mul- 
titude who  live  upon  the  fruits  of  the  honest  industry  of 
the  inhabitants,  from  the  odious  Commissioners  of  the 
Customs  down  to  the  dirty  informers  that  are  employed 
by  them,  therefore  we  will  not  make  use  of  any  foreign 
tea,  nor  allow  the  consumption  of  it  in  our  respective 


COLONIAL    CONTESTS  87 

families  till  such  time  as,  the  duty  being  first  taken  off, 
this  town  shall  by  some  future  vote  grant  an  indulgence 
to  such  persons  to  drink  tea  as  have  not  virtue  enough 
to  leave  off  the  use  forever."  Dea.  Ralph  Day,  of  this 
parish,  was  one  of  the  committee  of  five  who  were 
appointed  to  see  that  the  foregoing  vote  was  complied 
with. 

But  the  crisis  came  when  the  King  sent  vessels  to 
Boston  laden  with  tea.  Residents  of  this  parish  at- 
tended that  great  meeting  of  seven  thousand  people 
which  was  held  December  16,  1/73,  in  Faneuil  Hall, 
and  adjourned  to  the  Old  South  Meeting-house  for 
more  room.  At  the  close  of  that  memorable  meeting 
Timothy  Guy  was  one  of  those  who  gave  the  war- 
whoop,  and  then  proceeded  to  Griffin's  Wharf,  where 
they  took  possession  of  the  three  tea  ships,  and  emptied 
their  entire  cargo  into  the  sea. 

"  Oh,  ne'er  was  mingled  such  a  draught, 

In  palace  hall  or  arbor, 
As  freemen  brewed  and  tyrants  quaffed 
That  night  in  Boston  Harbor.'' 

Dover  thus  shares  in  the  honor  of  having  taken  part 
in  the  Boston  Tea-party,  which  was  one  of  the  most 
momentous  and  far-reaching  events  of  the  troubled 
times  before  war  was  openly  declared. 

The  morning  after  the  Tea-party  John  Adams  wrote 
in  his  diary  :  "  Last  night  three  cargoes  of  Bohea  tea 
were  emptied  into  the  sea.  This  morning  a  man-of-war 
sails.  This  is  the  most  magnificent  movement  of  all. 
There  was  a  dignity,  a  majesty,  sublimity,  in  this  last 
effort  of  the  patriots  that  I  greatly  admire.  The  people 


88  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

should  never  rise  without  doing  something  to  be  remem- 
bered,—  something  notable  and  striking.  This  destruc- 
tion of  the  tea  is  so  bold,  so  daring,  so  firm,  so  intrepid 
and  inflexible,  and  it  must  have  so  important  conse- 
quences and  so  lasting,  that  I  cannot  but  consider  it  as 
an  epoch  in  history." 

December  5,  1774,  the  town  voted  "that  we  do 
further  engage  that  we  will  not  drink,  nor  suffer  any  in 
our  families  to  drink,  any  kind  of  India  tea  till  we  have 
a  full  redress  of  all  the  grievances  enumerated  in  the 
Association  Agreement  "  ;  and,  as  members  of  a  com- 
mittee of  thirteen  who  were  to  carry  out  this  vote,  Dea. 
Ralph  Day,  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  and  Lieut.  Ebenezer 
Newell  were  chosen  from  the  Springfield  Parish. 

This  committee  of  inspection  were  instructed  to 
endeavor  to  find  out  whether  any  of  the  inhabitants  pre- 
sumed to  violate  the  foregoing  engagement,  and,  if  any 
were  found  acting  contrary  thereto,  to  post  up  their 
names  in  some  public  place  in  each  parish,  as  enemies 
of  the  welfare  of  America. 

At  the  Boston  town-meeting  in  November,  1772, 
Samuel  Adams  introduced  an  order  that  "  a  committee 
of  correspondence  be  appointed,  to  state  the  rights  of 
the  colonists  of  this  province  in  particular,  as  men,  as 
Christians,  and  as  subjects,  and  also  request  of  each 
town  a  few  communications  of  their  sentiments  on  the 
subject."  To  meet  the  requirements  of  this  vote,  at  a 
Dedham  town-meeting  held  December  27,  1773,  a  com- 
mittee of  correspondence  was  chosen,  "to  join  with 
other  towns  in  such  measures  as  might  be  proper, 
salutary,  and  effectual  for  the  redress  of  our  grievance 
and  liberties." 


COLONIAL    CONTESTS  89 

Dea.  Ralph  Day,  of  this  parish,  was  one  of  a  commit- 
tee of  four  who,  as  delegates  to  the  convention  held 
September  15,  1774,  adopted  the  celebrated  Suffolk 
resolutions.  It  must  not  be  imagined  that  the  people 
were  all  loyal.  There  were  Tories  among  them,  yet 
Toryism  was  not  permitted ;  and,  when  an  outspoken 
Tory  carried  provisions  to  the  British  quartered  in 
Boston,  a  company  of  indignant  citizens  waited  on  him, 
and  in  the  words  of  the  leader  said  :  "  Zounds  !  have 
you  been  feeding  the  British  ?  If  we  hear  any  more 
of  this,  we  will  pull  your  house  down  from  over  your 
head." 

On  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  as 
Solomon  Richards  was  hastening  towards  Boston,  he 
met  a  man  who  denied  there  had  been  an  engagement. 
At  this  point  another  man  rode  up  who  contradicted 
the  statement.  Mr.  Richards  took  the  man  a  prisoner, 
bound  him  upon  his  horse,  and  carried  him  to  the  house 
of  his  father-in-law,  at  the  Peacock  Tavern,  Jamaica 
Plain,  where  he  was  detained  until  the  truth  could  be 
ascertained.  In  the  meantime  a  body  of  soldiers  arrived 
and  demanded  the  Tory,  that  they  might  hang  him 
during  their  halt.  Mr.  Richards  insisted  that  the 
prisoner  should  have  a  trial.  The  well  known  patri- 
otism of  Mr.  Richards,  together  with  that  of  his  father- 
in-law,  saved  the  man  from  the  gallows,  but  not  from 
thirty-nine  lashes  ordered  by  the  court.  Twelve  mem- 
bers of  the  Richards  family,  eight  of  whom  were 
brothers,  took  part  in  the  Revolution. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE    SPRINGFIELD    PARISH    IN    THE    REVOLUTION. 

BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON  —  DEATH  OF  ELIAS  HAVEN  —  CAPT. 
EUENEZER  BATTLE'S  COMPANY  OF  MINUTE -MEN  — 
BATTLE  OF  BUNKER  HILL  — DORCHESTER  HEIGHTS  — 
BATTLE  OF  TRENTON  —  VALLEY  FORGE — CHERRY  VAL- 
LEY —  CONTINENTAL  MONEY  —  REVOLUTIONARY  SUP- 
PLIES—  PETITION  OF  DANIEL  WHITING  TO  GENERAL 
COURT  —  DISCIPLINE  OF  CONTINENTAL  ARMY. 

"  Swift  as  the  summons  came  they  left 

The  plough,  mid-furrow,  standing  still, 
The  half  ground  corn-grist  in  the  mill, 
The  spade  in  earth,  the  axe  in  cleft. 

"  They  went  where  duty  seemed  to  call, 
They  scarcely  asked  the  reason  why ; 
They  only  knew  they  could  but  die, 
And  death  was  not  the  worst  of  all." 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War  the 
Springfield  Parish  contained  a  population  of  some  three 
hundred  and  fifty  souls,  scattered  over  the  entire  terri- 
tory ;  and,  before  the  war  closed,  more  than  thirty  per 
cent,  of  the  inhabitants  took  part  in  one  or  more  engage- 
ments, and  several  served  for  years  in  the  Continental 
Army.  Although  the  spirit  of  liberty  was  abroad,  some 
of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  this  little  hamlet  were 
strong  adherents  of  the  King. 

On  one  occasion  the  residents  had  seen  British 
officers  upon  their  streets,  who  from  time  to  time  rode 
out  into  the  country  to  break  the  monotony  of  their  life 
in  Boston.  They  knew  these  soldiers  were  sent  to 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION^     91 

support  the  strong  arm  of  King  George.  They  were  in 
close  touch  with  all  that  transpired  in  Boston  ;  and  some 
may  have  looked  upon  the  bodies  of  the  "  Boston 
martyrs  "  1  who  were  killed  on  King  Street,  now  State 
Street,  on  the  evening  of  March  5,  1770,  by  British 
soldiers. 

"  From  the  moment  the  blood  of  those  men  stained 
the  pavement  of  Boston  streets,"  Daniel  Webster  said, 
"  we  may  date  the  severance  of  the  colony  from  the 
British  kingdom." 

In  1773  Dedham  voted  to  unite  with  other  towns  in 
a  measure  to  protect  their  liberties.  The  next  year 
companies  of  minute-men  were  organized.  Capt.  Eben- 
ezer  Battle  stood  at  the  head  of  the  company  in  the 
Springfield  Parish,  which  included  nearly  all  the  able- 
bodied  men  in  the  parish. 

The  morning  of  April  19  was  a  bright,  crisp  morning. 
The  cherry-trees  were  in  bloom,  the  grass  waved  in  the 
fields,  and  the  farmers  were  busy  ploughing  or  sowing 
grain. 

About  nine  o'clock  a  messenger  hurriedly  passed 
through  the  parish  on  his  way  to  Dedham,  and  an- 
nounced the  movement  of  the  British.  The  company 
of  minute-men  was  hastily  summoned  ;  and  in  an  incred- 
ibly short  time  the  farmers  gathered  from  the  remotest 
parts  of  the  parish,  and  formed  on  the  green  near  the 
tavern.  Aaron  Whiting,  who  was  ploughing  in  the  field 
when  the  summons  came,  left  the  plough  in  the  furrow 
and  his  oxen  to  be  unyoked  and  driven  to  pasture  by  his 
wife.  Later  a  hurrying  company  of  minute-men  from 
Walpole  passed  through  the  parish. 

1  Crispus  Attucks,  Samuel  Gray,  Patrick  Carr,  Samuel  Maverick. 


92  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

How  the  command  of  Captain  Battle  to  "  march " 
must  have  rung  in  their  ears !  He  led  his  men  directly 
to  Watertown,  and  took  the  highway  which  led  to  Me- 
notomy,  that  part  of  Cambridge  which  is  now  Arling- 
ton, where  the  Dover  farmers 

"  Gave  them  ball  for  ball 
From  behind  each  fence  and  farmyard  wall." 

Elias  Haven,  standing  near  the  meeting-house,  was 
shot  down  by  a  British  soldier,  and  is  buried  under  the 
monument  erected  in  Arlington  in  1 848.  Our  minute- 
men  engaged  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  fight.  At  Me- 
notomy,  it  is  said,  occurred  the  most  deadly  skirmish  of 
the  day,  not  excepting  the  fight  at  Concord  Bridge. 
The  British  loss  was  heaviest  here,  and  of  the  forty-nine 
patriots  killed  that  day  twenty-two  fell  at  Menotomy. 
It  is  said  that  the  minute-men  went  forth  to  this  en- 
counter full  of  courage  and  in  the  strong  belief  that  the 
contest  would  soon  be  over.  What  must  have  been  the 
feelings  of  the  aged  men,  the  women,  and  the  children 
who  were  forced  to  remain  at  home  on  that  eventful 
day !  With  what  anxiety  and  uncertainty  they  saw  the 
sun  go  down  on  that  iQth  of  April  which  marks  the 
beginning  of  American  independence  ! 

What  was  the  effect  of  this  day  upon  the  people  ? 
The  Rev.  Mr.  West,  of  Needham,  who  mingled  much 
with  his  people  on  that  day,  says,  "  We  even  anticipated 
the-  enemy,  enraged  as  they  were,  at  our  door,  in  our' 
homes,  acting  over  all  the  horrors  which  usually  attend 
the  progress  of  an  exasperated  victorious-  army,  espe- 
cially in  civil  wars  like  this."  He  further  adds,  "This 
memorable  day  appeared  to  have  a  surprising  effect  on 


SPRINGFIELD  PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION     93 

the  spirit  of  the  people  in  general  ;  and  from  being,  as  I 
had  supposed  them,  and  as  they  were  actually,  mild  and 
gentle,  they  became  at  once  ferocious,  cruel,  —  at  least 
towards  all  those  whom  they  suspected  as  unfriendly  to 
their  cause." 

The  following  letter  by  John  Jones,  Jr.,  captain 
of  a  Princeton  company  of  minute-men,  and  a  former 
resident  of  this  parish,  written  three  days  after  the  en- 
gagement, is  of  interest  :  — 

CAMBRIDGE,  April  22,  1775. 

Loving  Wife,  —  There  was  a  hot  battle  fought  between  the 
Regulars  that  marched  to  Concord  and  our  people  on  Wednes- 
day, the  1  9th  of  this  instant,  in  which  many  on  both  sides  were 
slain  (but  most  of  the  enemy),  as  we  heard  before  we  marched. 

As  we  marched  to  Concord,  we  were  often  informed  that  the 
enemy  had  marched  from  Boston  a  second  time,  and  had  got  as 
far  as  Lincoln.  We  hurried  on  as  fast  as  possible,  expecting  to 
meet  them  in  Concord  ;  but  when  we  arrived  there  we  were  in- 
formed that  they  had  returned  from  their  first  engagement  to 
Charlestown,  from  which  they  have  gone  to  Boston.  We  are  now 
stationed  in  one  of  ye  colleges,  as  are  many  more  of  ye  army,  all 
in  good  health,  through  ye  divine  goodness  and  hope  of  ye  bless- 
ings of  heaven.  In  ye  first  combat,  among  those  that  were  slain 
were  Lieut.  John  Bacon,  of  Needham,  two  Mills,  Nat.  Chamb'n, 
and  two  others  from  Needham,  Elias  Haven  from  Springfield. 
If  you  have  an  opportunity,  you  may  send  brother  Hapgood  a 
shirt  and  pair  of  stockings.  I'm*  uncertain  when  we  shall  return-. 
May  we  all  be  enabled  to  turn  to  our  God,  that  he  may  save  us 
from  ruin  !  I  am,  with  greatest  respect,  your  affectionate  and 
loving  husband  till  death. 

x  JONES. 


Jabez  Baker  brought  back  from  the  Lexington  Alarm 
a  "  red  coat  "  which  he  stripped  from  a  British  soldier 
who  had  been  killed.  A  part  of  this  coat  was  in  exist- 


94 


HISTORY    OF    DOVER 


ence  as  late  as  1866,  and  was  used  on  Strawberry  Hill 
to  scare  crows  from  a  corn-field. 

In  the  archives  at  the  State  House  is  preserved  the 
original  muster-roll  of  the  company  which  marched  from 
Dover  on  April  19,  under  Captain  Battle. 

The  roll  is  given  in  full,  with  the  name  of  each  man, 
number  of  miles  travelled,  and  days'  absence,  be- 
cause it  speaks  more  eloquently  of  the  patriotism  of 
our  fathers  than  any  words  that  will  ever  be  spoken 
in  their  praise. 


A     ROLL    MADE     UP    BY    CAPT.    EBENEZER 
THE    FOURTH    PARISH,    FROM    APRIL 

1775- 

Nutne. 

Ebenezer  Battle 
Daniel  Whiting 
John  Battle 
James  Cheney 
Joseph  Fisher 
Jesse  Knap 
Jabez  Baker 
Theodore  Newell 
John  Chickering 
Ebenezer  Richards 
Moses  Richards 
Hezekiah  Battle 
Samuel  Richards 
David  Cleveland 
Thomas  Gardner 
Henry  Tisdale 
Nathan  Metcalf 
Aaron  Fairbanks 
Jeremiah  Bacon 
Asa  Mason 
William  Fisher 


BATTLE,  OF  DEDHAM, 
19  TO  DECEMBER  2O, 


Dignity. 

Miles. 

Days. 

Capt. 

40 

13 

ist  Lieut. 

40 

8 

2d      " 

40 

6 

Sargent 

40 

3 

" 

40 

8 

ii 

40 

8 

" 

40 

12 

Corporal 

40 

8 

" 

40 

6 

" 

30 

4 

" 

40 

12 

Fifer 

40 

3 

Private 

40 

4 

" 

40 

4 

" 

40 

10 

'• 

40 

4 

" 

40 

3 

" 

40 

8 

" 

40 

6 

" 

40 

'3 

" 

40 

4 

SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE  REVOLUTION     95 

Name.                                 Dignity.            Miles.  Days. 

James  Mann  Private        40  7 

Elias  Haven  "               40  i 

Ebenezer  Battle,  Jr.  "               40  8 

John  Cheney  "               40  1 1 

Jabez  Whiting  "               40  8 

Luke  Dean  "               40  9 

Joseph  Chickering  "               40  4 

Daniel  Chickering  30  4 

Elias  Stimson  "               40  6 

Moses  Bacon  "              40  7 

Josiah  Battle  40  7 

John  Ellis  30  I 

Josiah  Bacon,  Jr.  40  12 

Seth  Wight  40  5 

Ephraim  Bacon,  Jr.  30  4 

Moses  Mason  "               40  3 

John  Mason  "               40  8 

William  Mansfield  "               40  3 

Samuel  Fisher  "               30  6 

Richard  Richards  40  3 

Thomas  Burridge  40  5 

Joseph  Draper,  Jr.  40  5 

Timothy  Allen  "               40  3 

Barach  Smith  40  2 

Thomas  Ferrett  "               30  2 

David  Fuller  40  2 

Ephraim  Wilson  "               40  6 

Samuel  Wilson  "               40  4 

Joseph  Parker  "40  9 

Silas  Taft  "               40  3 

Oliver  Kenrick  "               40  2 

Moses  Draper  "               30  4 

Aaron  Whiting  40  8 

Ebenezer  Allen  30  6 

Thomas  Morse  "               40  3 

Hezekiah  Allen  30  i 

Nathaniel  Chickering  30  2 


96  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Name.  Dignity.  Miles.  Days. 

James  Draper  Private         30  i 

John  Fisher  40  10 

Asa  Richards  30  2 

Solomon  Richards  30  3 

Ralph  Day  40  2 

Daniel  Chickering  40  3 

John  Draper  "               30  i 

Eben  Smith  "               30  2 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  members  of  this  company 
were  absent  from  one  to  thirteen  days,  but  a  majority 
of  them  returned  in  less  than  a  week  to  tell  of  the 
flight  of  the  British  and  of  their  eager  pursuit.  After 
the  battle  of  Lexington  men  crowded  the  road  to  Bos- 
ton, anxious  to  do  service  ;  but  no  army  was  created  for 
the  war.  Enlistments  were  made  for  eight  months. 

The  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  is  of  peculiar  interest  to 
the  people  of  this  parish,  as  seventeen  residents  took 
part  in  the  battle,  under  Capt.  Daniel  Whiting,  as  fol- 
lows :  Luke  Dean,  Samuel  Chickering,  Lemuel  Her- 
ring, Samuel  Wilson,  Jesse  Knapp,  Joseph  Draper, 
Moses  Draper,  Petetiah  Herring,  Thomas  Morse, 
Aaron  Whiting,  Hezekiah  Battle,  James  Gay,  Ebene- 
zer  Gay,  Joseph  Smith,  Josiah  Richards,  Nathan  Cook. 
Daniel  Fuller,  a  lad  of  fifteen  years,  was  a  drummer- 
boy  ;  and  tradition  has  it  that  he  was  in  the  battle  in 
Captain  Whiting's  company. 

Captain  Whiting's  company  consisted  of  fifty-six 
men,  and  was  a  part  of  Col.  Jonathan  Brewer's  regi- 
ment, which  consisted  of  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  soldiers.  Colonel  Sweet  states  that  this  regiment 
went  on  three  hundred  strong,  but  the  Revolution 
depositions  state  one  hundred  and  fifty.  It  is  known 


SPRINGFIELD  PARISH  IN   THE  REVOLUTION     97 

that  Daniel  Whiting's  company  took  part  in  the  battle. 
Brewer's  regiment  was  placed,  says  Frothingham  in  his 
"  Siege  of  Boston,"  '  on  the  diagonal  line  between  the 
breastwork  and  rail-fence.  Seven  men  of  the  regiment 
were  killed  and  eleven  men  wounded.  Little  is  given 
in  detail  of  this  regiment ;  but  it  is  said  that  the  officers 
conducted  themselves  with  great  bravery,  and  that 
Colonel  Brewer  was  often  consulted  by  Prescott. 

The  following  is  related  by  the  eldest  daughter2  of 
Captain  Whiting, —  a  strong  poetic  touch  concerning 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill:  "The  year  of  the  battle 
my  father  and  I  were  rowed  over  in  a  ferry-boat  from 
Boston  to  Charlestown,  that  he  might  show  me  where 
the  battle  was  fought.  In  ascending  the  hill  I  was  sur- 
prised to  observe  the  singular  appearance  of  the  grass, 
as  it  grew  in  spots  and  lines  exceedingly  high  and  rank. 
'  Those  places,'  said  my  father,  '  that  seem  enriched  by 
little  streams  of  water  are  made  verdant  by  the  blood  of 
the  slain.' " 

Many  sons  and  daughters  of  the  Revolution  in  this 
place  trace  their  lineage  to  those  who  took  part  in  this 
famous  battle.  The  epitaph  on  the  gravestone  of  Aaron 
Whiting  in  Dover  cemetery  thus  refers  to  his  having 
been  in  the  battles  of  Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill :  — 

"  Reader,  beneath  this  stone  a  patriot's  ashes  lie, 
One  who  raised  our  country's  flag  on  high 
At  Lexington  and  Bunker's  bloody  fight, 
When  struggling  hard  for  freedom's  holy  right." 

As  already  shown,  the  army  was  enlisted  for  an  eight 
months'  service.  When  Washington  took  command  of 

1  Pa»e  182.  2  Mrs.  Artimas  Woodward. 


98  HISTORY    OF    DOTKR 

the  army,  in  July,  1775,  there  were  sixteen  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  seventy  men  surrounding  Boston 
and  Charlestovvn.  Washington  immediately  made  him- 
self familiar  with  his  army.  It  is  said  that  the  enthu- 
siasm of  the  soldiers  was  unbounded,  but  during  the 
fall  it  waned.  Redoubts  and  breastworks  had  been 
thrown  up.  From  time  to  time  some  were  killed 
and  others  wounded,  yet  this  was  not  war.  They 
were  encamped  in  huts  made  of  logs,  stones,  branches, 
etc.,  in  the  midst  of  pleasant  fields  and  grateful  shades  ; 
but  as  winter  approached  they  grew  tired  of  this  life. 
They  were  poorly  clad,  and  suffered  for  want  of  proper 
food  and  fuel  with  which  to  cook  it.  Under  these 
circumstances  Washington  soon  saw  that  a  new  army 
must  be  raised.  The  year  1776  opened  with  a  new 
army.  The  bravest  and  most  patriotic  of  the  old  army 
formed  the  nucleus  of  the  new  ;  and  of  our  brave  soldiers 
we  find  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle  at  the  head  of  a  company 
of  thirty-two  men,  all  from  Dover  except  three,  with 
Jesse  Knapp  as  first  lieutenant.  After  the  new  army 
had  been  organized,  it  was  determined  as  soon  as 
possible  to  drive  the  British  from  Boston  ;  but  during 
the  winter  the  council  of  war  recommended  no  action. 
In  February,  Washington  stated  that  two  thousand  of 
his  men  were  without  fire-locks,  and  that  he  was  obliged 
to  conceal  the  state  of  his  army  even  from  his  own 
officers.  At  a  council  of  war  held  February  16,  1776, 
it  was  decided  that  a  cannonade  and  bombardment  of 
Boston  should  be  made  as  soon  as  a  sufficient  supply  of 
powder  was  received,  and  that  preparation  should  be 
made  to  take  possession  of  Dorchester  Heights  and 
Noddle's  Island  if  circumstances  admitted,  in  order  to 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION      99 

draw  out  the  enemy.  On  the  night  of  March  4,  while 
the  attention  of  the  British  was  taken  up  by  a  severe 
cannonade,  General  Washington  marched  to  take  pos- 
session of  Dorchester  Heights,  overlooking  the  harbor. 
During  the  night  two  forts  were  sufficiently  advanced  to 
form  a  protection  against  small  arms  and  grape-shot. 
Heath  wrote,  "  Perhaps  there  never  was  as  much  work 
done  in  so  short  a  time."  On  the  morning  of  March  5, 
the  anniversary  of  the  Boston  massacre,  the  British 
were  surprised  to  behold  the  redoubts  that  had  been 
thrown  up  during  the  night.  "  The  rebels  have  done 
more  in  one  night  than  my  whole  army  could  have  done 
in  a  month,"  remarked  General  Howe. 

As  these  works  commanded  both  the  harbor  and  the 
town,  and  as  General  Howe  was  thwarted  in  his  plans 
to  attack  them  on  the  morning  of  March  7,  he  deter- 
mined to  evacuate  the  city ;  and  Washington,  although 
disappointed  in  not  having  an  engagement,  had  the 
proud  satisfaction  of  seeing  General  Howe,  after  all  his 
proud  boasting,  evacuate  the  city  and  sail  away  with  his 
troops.  Thomas  Larrabee  was  in  Boston  when  the 
British  evacuated  the  city,  and  was  one  of  a  company  of 
young  men  who  swapped  tobacco  with  British  soldiers 
as  they  marched  down  the  street  to  embark. 

A  British  officer  wrote,  concerning  the  wonderful 
work  of  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  "They  raised 
the  forts  with  an  expedition  equal  to  that  of  the  genie 
belonging  to  Aladdin's  wonderful  lamp."  This  work 
compelled  the  British  to  evacuate  Boston.  Forty- 
four  men  from  this  parish  engaged  at  Dorchester : 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  Jesse  Knapp,  Asa  Mason, 
Joseph  Fisher,  Asa  Richards,  Aaron  Fairbanks,  Heze- 


100  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

kiah  Battle,  Joseph  Parker,  Samuel  C flickering,  Solo- 
mon Richards,  Thomas  Gardner,  Josiah  Battle,  Moses 
Richards,  Ephraim  Wilson,  Jabez  Whiting,  Richard 
Richards,  Josiah  Richards,  Barach  Smith,  James  Gay, 
Luke  Dean,  Elias  Stimson,  Nathan  Cook,  Joseph 
Smith,  Samuel  Farrington,  Samuel  Wilson,  Moses 
Bacon,  Nathaniel  Metcalf,  Jesse  Ellis,  John  Mason, 
Thadeus  Richards,  William  Fisher,  Ebenezer  Gay, 
Eleazer  Allen,  Jeremiah  Bacon,  Ebenezer  Battle,  James 
Draper,  Ebenezer  Richards,  Henry  Tisdale,  Timothy 
Allen,  Josiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  John  Chickering,  James  Mann, 
Ebenezer  Smith,  Aaron  Whiting. 

The  parish  thus  had  an  honorable  part  in  gaining  the 
first  great  military  operation  of  the  Revolutionary  War 
at  Dorchester  Heights,  by  which  Massachusetts  was 
delivered  from  the  invasion  of  an  army  consisting  of 
eleven  thousand  veteran  British  soldiers. 

In  the  spring  of  1776,  after  the  evacuation  of  Boston, 
Washington  hastened  with  his  army  to  New  York  ;  and 
we  find  the  Springfield  Parish  soldiers  moving  on  to 
Ticonderoga  and  other  points  in  New  York.  In  after 
years,  as  they  gathered  round  the  tavern  fire,  they 
recalled,  to  the  great  delight  of  young  men,  their 
weary  march  and  privations  in  the  wilderness  of  Ver- 
mont. The  original  enlistment-sheet,  which  bears  the 
signatures  of  our  soldiers,  is  preserved  in  the  State 
archives  ;  and,  as  illustrating  the  military  requirements 
of  the  time,  we  give  it  in  full  :  — 

We  whose  names  are  underwritten  do  hereby  severally  enlist 
ourselves  into  the  service  of  the  United  American  colonies,  and 
severally  promise  and  engage  to  continue  in  such  service  until  the 
first  day  of  December,  1 776,  unless  sooner  discharged,  and  to 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION     IOI 

furnish  ourselves  each  with  a  good  effective  firearm  and,  if 
possible,  a  bayonet  fitted  thereto,  or  in  lieu  thereof  a  hatchet  or 
tomahawk,  a  cartridge  box,  knapsack,  and  blanket.  We  also  in 
like  manner  promise  and  engage  to  obey  all  the  lawful  commands 
of  the  officers  appointed  or  to  be  appointed  over  us  pursuant  to 
the  Resolves  of  the  General  Court  of  the  Colony  of  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  under  the  direction  of  such  officers  to  march  with  the 
utmost  despatch  to  Charlestown  in  New  Hampshire,  and  to  be 
subject  to  all  such  rules  and  regulations,  in  every  respect,  as 
are  provided  for  the  Continental  Army.  Signed :  Ezra  Gay, 
Jonathan  Whiting,  Abijah  Crane,  Jesse  Ellis,  Lemuel  Richards, 
Ichabod  Farrington,  Thomas  Larrabee,  Nathaniel  Chickering, 
Samuel  Chickering,  Barach  Smith,  Ebenezer  Gay,  Nathan  Cook, 
Thadeus  Richards,  Samuel  Farrington,  James  Gay,  Elias 
Stimson,  Abner  Nevers. 

In  the  memorable  battle  of  Trenton,  December  26, 
1776,  we  have  a  special  interest,  as  Thomas  Larrabee, 
of  this  parish,  was  one  of  the  twelve  men  who  rowed 
General  Washington  across  the  Delaware  River.  The 
password  on  that  stormy  day  previous  to  the  engage- 
ment was  "Victory  or  death."  The  importance  of 
this  battle  is  not  often  emphasized.  Abraham  Lincoln, 
addressing  the  Senate  of  New  Jersey  in  1861,  said  :  "  I 
remember  all  the  accounts  given  in  Weem's  '  Life  of 
Washington,'  of  the  battlefields  and  struggles  for  the 
liberties  of  the  country  ;  and  none  fixed  themselves  upon 
my  imagination  so  deeply  as  the  struggle  here  at 
Trenton.  The  crossing  of  the  river,  the  contest  with 
the  Hessians,  the  great  hardships  endured  at  that  time, 
—  all  fixed  themselves  on  my  memory  more  than  any 
single  Revolutionary  event.  I  recollect  thinking  then, 
boy  even  though  I  was,  that  there  must  have  been 
something  more  than  common  that  these  men  struggled 
for." 


102  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

In  this  contest  Washington  risked  all,  and  gained  the 
first  real  victory  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  Before 
the  battle  Washington  wrote  his  brother :  "  You  can 
form  no  idea  of  the  perplexity  of  my  situation.  No 
man,  I  believe,  ever  had  greater  choice  of  difficulties 
and  less  means  to  extricate  himself  from  them." 

Washington  moved  with  a  detachment  of  the  main 
army  of  twenty-four  hundred  troops.  Each  soldier  had 
three  days'  cooked  rations,  and  each  carried  forty 
rounds  of  ammunition.  With  this  small  army  Washing- 
ton put  the  Hessians  to  flight.  When  the  news  of  the 
surrender  of  Trenton  was  taken  to  Washington,  he 
exclaimed,  "  This  is  a  glorious  day  for  our  country !  " 
while  the  colonial  secretary  of  state  of  King  George 
wrote,  "  All  our  hopes  were  blasted  by  that  unhappy 
affair  at  Trenton." 

It  was  a  glorious  day  for  our  country,  for  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  was  being  made  a  reality.  The 
soldiers,  who  had  left  the  blood-stains  of  their  bare  feet 
by  the  way,  felt  encouraged,  and  the  people  inspired. 

The  scene  is  thus  described  by  George  Hobart  :  — 

"  One  Christmas  night,  long  years  ago, 

When  shrilly  cold  winds  blew. 
And  through  the  darkened  air  the  snow 

On  frozen  pinions  flew, 
A  little  band  of  patriot  souls 

Stood,  brave  and  fearless,  where 
In  iciness  and  anger  rolls 

The  fretful  Delaware. 

"  Nor  ice.  nor  storm,  nor  cruel  blast 

Can  hold  these  heroes  back : 
They  have  resolved. —  the  die  is  cast 
For  Freedom's  cause  !     A  track 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION     103 

Of  blood  upon  the  snow  they  've  left 

From  shoeless  feet  and  bare ; 
Of  all  life's  comforts  they  're  bereft 

Beside  the  Delaware. 

"  But  '  Onward !  onward  ! '  is  the  word 

Their  brave  commander  speaks. 
When  through  the  storm  his  voice  is  heard, 

Each  son  of  Freedom  seeks 
To  do  his  bidding  ;  put  aside 

Is  every  woe  and  care : 
There's  vict'ry  o'er  the  icy  tide, 

Across  the  Delaware. 

"  On  through  the  gloomy,  stormy  night 

With  hardships  dire  they  cope, 
'  For  God,  and  Native  Land,  and  Right ! ' 

Their  watchword  and  their  hope, 
Until  at  last,  all  cold  and  dank, 

They  greet  the  morning's  glare. 
Safe  through  the  tide  they've  reached  the  bank, 

Across  the  Delaware." 

Thomas  Larrabee  was  a  member  of  General  Wash- 
ington's body-guard,  and  his  testimony  confirmed  the 
statements  so  often  made  regarding  the  general's  quiet 
and  dignified  demeanor.  Mr.  Larrabee  used  to  say  that 
only  once  during  a  service  of  several  years  did  he 
see  General  Washington  laugh.  This  was  when  our 
boats  were  crossing  the  Delaware  River.  The  first 
boat's  crew  did  not  estimate  the  strength  of  the  current, 
and  fell  far  below  the  landing-place  ;  while  the  second 
boat,  which  Washington  occupied,  through  his  accurate 
judgment  and  the  strong  arms  of  the  boatmen  was 
brought  exactly  to  the  landing.  As  Washington 
stepped  upon  the  shore,  he  clapped  his  hands  and 
audibly  laughed. 


104  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

With  all  the  trials  and  hardships  endured  at  Valley 
Forge  we  have  a  lively  interest,  as  Daniel  Whiting,  and 
perhaps  others,  shared  the  danger,  the  cold,  the  hunger, 
the  privations,  of  that  historic  spot.  The  oft-repeated 
description  of  the  Continental  soldier  applies  perhaps 
as  well  to  our  men  as  to  any  other  :  — 

Who  is  this  that  toils  up  yonder  hill,  his  footsteps  stained  with 
blood  ?  His  bare  feet  peep  through  his  worn-out  shoes,  his  legs 
nearly  naked  from  the  tattered  remains  of  an  old  pair  of  stock- 
ings, his  breeches  not  enough  to  cover  his  nakedness,  his  shirt 
hanging  in  strings,  his  hair  dishevelled,  his  face  wan  and  thin,  his 
look  hungry,  his  whole  appearance  that  of  a  man  forsaken  and 
neglected. 

Yet  amid  all  this  suffering  their  fortitude  remained, 
and  doubt  did  not  shake  their  love  of  country.  No 
more  enduring  example  of  devotion  to  duty  can  be 
found  than  that  exhibited  by  the  American  yeoman  of 
the  Revolution. 

General  Lafayette  caused  a  fort  to  be  built  at  Cherry 
Valley,  N.Y.,  the  most  important  settlement  in  the 
eastern  part  of  that  State.  In  November,  1778,  the 
village  was  attacked  by  a  large  force  of  Indians  and 
Tories,  led  by  Walter  Butler  and  Joseph  Brant,  the 
Mohawk  chief.  Col.  Ichabod  Alden,  of  Massachusetts, 
was  in  command  of  the  fort,  with  about  two  hundred 
and  fifty  Continental  troops. 

On  November  8  Colonel  Alden  received  word  from 
Fort  Schuyler  that  the  fort  was  about  to  be  attacked. 
Daniel  Whiting,  of  the  Springfield  Parish,  was  an  officer 
under  Colonel  Alden.  For  several  clays  previous  to  the 
attack  Captain  Whiting  had  traversed  the  land  far  and 
wide  to  discover  some  trace  of  the  Indians.  On  the 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION    105 

morning  of  November  n,  1778,  Judge  Wells,  in  whose 
house  some  of  the  officers  lived,  barely  escaped  an  Ind- 
ian arrow.  Captain  Whiting  ran  to  the  fort,  bolted  the 
doors,  and  fired  upon  the  pursuing  foe.  Colonel  Alden, 
who  remained  long  enough  in  the  house  to  put  on  his 
boots,  was  struck  down  by  an  Indian  tomahawk  ;  and 
Colonel  Stacy  was  captured.  When  all  attempts  to 
gain  the  fort  were  found  to  be  in  vain,  the  Indians  sur- 
rounded the  house  and  perpetrated  the  most  fiendish 
cruelties  upon  many  of  the  inhabitants. 

One  mother  fled  to  the  woods.  With  her  babe  in 
her  arms,  and  her  children  around  her,  she  lay  through 
a  cold  stormy  night  under  a  log,  where  she  heard  the 
yells  of  the  savages  as  they  passed  near  her.  Her  hus- 
band, who  was  an  officer  in  the  fort,  gained  permission 
from  Captain  Whiting  to  send  a  small  force,  who  at 
the  risk  of  their  lives  succeeded  in  bringing  her  and 
the  children  safely  back. 

Burgoyne's  troops  spent  the  early  winter  of  1777  in 
the  environs  of  Boston  ;  and  Lieut.  Ebenezer  Newell, 
Nathaniel  Mellen,  Joseph  Cheney,  and  James  Cheney 
enlisted  for  a  five  months'  service  in  guarding  these 
troops.  They  were  paid  by  the  town  one  hundred  and 
twelve  pounds  for  this  service. 

As  it  was  difficult  to  find  men  who  were  willing  to 
enlist  for  a  long  or  short  service,  September  27,  1777, 
the  precinct  chose  a  committee  consisting  of  several 
men,  with  Lieut.  David  Fuller  as  chairman,  to  raise 
men  to  go  into  the  army. 

Governor's  Island  in  Boston  Harbor  was  guarded  for 
eight  years,  and  was  called  the  Castle.  During  this 
time  none  were  enlisted  for  a  longer  time  than  three 


io6  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

months,  although  there  were  soldiers  who  remained 
during  the  entire  time,  re-enlisting  every  three  months. 
Boston  Harbor  was  thus  guarded  against  the  entrance 
of  the  foe.  In  the  spring  of  1778  we  find  Ellis  Whit- 
ing, Michael  Bacon,  and  Jonathan  Battle  engaged  in 
this  service. 

Roxbury  was  carefully  guarded,  and  some  may  re- 
member the  old  forts  which  remained  for  many  years 
as  reminders  of  the  siege  of  Boston. 

Among  those  who  guarded  fourteen  days  at  Roxbury 
in  1778  are  found  the  names  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle, 
Barach  Smith,  Lieut.  Asa  Richards,  Ebenezer  Richards, 
John  Cheney,  Jeremiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  Adam  Jones,  Josiah 
Bacon,  Jr.,  Stephen  Gay,  Josiah  Battle,  Samuel  Farring- 
ton,  Moses  Bacon,  John  Chickering,  Hezekiah  Battle, 
Ebenezer  Battle,  Jr. 

Of  those  who  guarded  at  Boston  and  Cambridge  in 
1778  we  find  a  smaller  number.  Roxbury  being  more 
accessible,  they  preferred  to  enlist  for  service  there,  but 
the  roll  bears  the  names  of  Stephen  Gay,  John 
Brown,  Daniel  Chickering,  Jabez  Whiting. 

In  August,  1778,  a  plan  was  formed  for  an  attack  on 
the  British  forces  in  Rhode  Island,  who  were  under 
command  of  Sir  Robert  Pigott.  He  had  his  head- 
quarters at  Newport,  which  was  protected  by  batteries 
and  a  small  naval  force.  About  six  thousand  men  were 
stationed  about  the  island. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Providence,  Barach  Smith,  Ebenezer 
Richards,  Jeremiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  Josiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  Joseph 
Battle,  and  Moses  Bacon  were  stationed. 

It  was  planned  that  the  Americans  should  approach 
Newport  by  land,  while  the  fleet  of  D'Estaing,  which 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE    REVOLUTION     107 

had  arrived,  should  force  its  way  into  the  harbor.  This 
plan  was  not  carried  out  —  by  concerted  action.  Gen- 
eral Sullivan  marched  from  Providence ;  and  the  British, 
fearful  of  being  cut  off,  evacuated  these  works  on  the 
north  and  went  to  Newport.  General  Sullivan  now 
gathered  an  army  of  ten  thousand ;  but  the  French  fleet, 
failing  to  take  part  in  the  engagement,  were  obliged  to 
retreat,  leaving  the  British  in  possession  of  southern 
Rhode  Island.  Of  those  who  engaged  in  this  contest 
in  Rhode  Island  in  1778  we  find  the  following  names 
from  this  precinct :  Lemuel  Herring,  David  Chickering, 
Jr.,  Ellis  Whiting,  David  Richards,  Joseph  Bacon,  Silas 
Bacon,  and  Jabez  Whiting. 

There  are  those  living l  who  recall  Thomas  Larra- 
bee's  account,  as  an  eye  witness,  of  the  execution  of 
Major  Andre,  for  whom  the  Americans  had  much 
sympathy,  as  he  was  brought  to  his  ignoble  death 
through  connivance'  with  the  traitor  Arnold.  Mr.  Larra- 
bee  used  to  repeat  Washington's  words  when  besought 
by  Andre  to  be  allowed  to  die  as  a  soldier  rather  than 
as  a  criminal,  "  You  were  taken  as  a  spy,  tried  as  a  spy, 
and  you  shall  die  as  a  spy." 

One  verse  from  Willis  beautifully  describes  Major 
Andre's  request:  — 

Thine  is  the  power  to  give, 

Thine  to  deny 
Joy  for  the  hour  I  live, 

Calmness  to  die. 
By  all  the  brave  should  cherish. 

By  my  dying  breath, 
I  ask  that  I  may  perish, 

By  a  soldier's  death. 

1  Stephen  Pettengill,  Needhani. 


io8  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

The  daughters  of  the  Revolution  contributed  their 
part  in  the  manufacture  of  blankets,  shirts,  and  stock- 
ings, which  were  in  frequent  demand  to  meet  the 
parish's  quota  in  supplying  the  Continental  Army.  The 
following  supplies  were  furnished  by  the  residents  of 
this  parish  in  1781.  The  price  indicates  the  value  of 
Continental  currency  at  this  time  :  — 

£.    s.    ci. 

Eleazer  Allen,  8  shirts  for  army 48 

John  Jones,  3  pairs  of  stockings 18 

Joseph  Haven,  2  pairs  of  socks 12 

Joseph  Draper,  i  pair  of  socks 69 

Timothy  Allen,  i  pair  of  socks 6 

Ebenezer  Smith,  16  pairs  of  shoes 8 

James  Draper,  stockings 24 

Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  16  pairs  shoes 8 

Ebenezer  Battle,  5  pairs  of  socks i    i  o 

Ebenezer  Newell,  4  blankets  and  travelling  expenses     .     619 
John  Battle.  4  pairs  socks  and  one  dollar  in  cash      ..28 

The  extremest  inflation  of  the  Continental  currency 
seems  to  have  been  reached  in  1 780,  during  which  year 
Ebenezer  Battle  sold  the  selectmen  of  Dedham  one 
horse  for  three  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  ;  Thomas 
Ockinton  one  horse,  six  hundred  pounds ;  Ebenezer 
Newell  one  horse,  nine  hundred  pounds, —  making  a 
total  of  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for  three 
horses  furnished  for  the  use  of  the  army. 

The  history  of  Continental  money  is  of  interest  : 
without  it  we  cannot  appreciate  the  difficulties  with 
which  the  people  were  beset.  In  June,  1/75,  Congress 
voted  that  a  sum  not  exceeding  two  million  Spanish 
milled  dollars  be  emitted  in  bills  of  credit  for  the 
defence  of  America,  and  that  the  colonies  be  pledged 


SPRINGFIELD  PARISH  IAr   THE   REVOLUTION     109 

for  the  redemption  of  these  bills  of  credit.  In  Novem- 
ber three  millions  more  were  issued  to  meet  the  expense 
of  the  war.  In  February  they  granted  five  millions 
more,  five  millions  in  May,  and  five  millions  in  July, — 
in  all,  twenty  millions  of  dollars,  all  paper  money, 
which  became  as  worthless  as  an  old  scrap  of  news- 
paper. 

The  demands  were  so  great  and  money  was  so  scarce 
that  the  scheme  did  not  recommend  itself  either  to 
speculators  or  the  public.  So  matters  went  on  until 
Continental  money  became  valueless.  The  parish 
records  show  that  a  bill  of  £2,  ios.,  J\d.,  received  in 
1781,  was  valued  in  Continental  money  as  £26,  i$s. 
The  depreciation  in  money  was  not  as  great  in  Massa- 
chusetts as  in  some  States. 

This  precinct  raised,  simply  to  meet  the  expense  of 
committees  and  soldiers  who  served  in  the  war  from 
1776  to  1781,  ^"2,836,  13-s-.,  5rtT. 

The  Hon.  Amos  Perry,  commenting  on  the  records 
of  Col.  John  Jones,  relating  to  his  "minits  of  marriage 
portions  "  given  his  daughters,  extending  over  a  period 
of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century  (1767-95),  says: 

"  The  observance  of  a  uniform  standard  of  valuation 
caused  serious  difficulty  in  apportioning  gifts  in  accord- 
ance with  rules  of  justice  applicable  in  such  a  family. 
One  daughter  received  gifts  valued  at  about  three 
hundred  and  seventy-six  pounds  (1767).  Another 
daughter's  gifts  were  valued  at  about  forty  pounds 
(1783).  Yet  the  latter  daughter  was  probably  served 
quite  as  well  as  the  former.  Twenty  dollars  was  repre- 
sented as  equivalent  to  forty-five  pounds.  The  lowest 
value  of  a  cow  is  four  pounds,  the  highest  thirty 
pounds." 


no  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  does  not  represent 
all  our  fathers  did  for  American  independence.  They 
were  residents  of  Dedham,  and  as  such  bore  their  share 
in  all  that  was  done  by  the  town.  Previous  to  1777 
the  town  of  Dedham  raised  and  paid  all  its  soldiers, 
but  early  in  this  year  it  voted  a  bounty  of  twenty-four 
pounds  to  each  man  who  would  enlist  for  three  years, 
or  during  the  war ;  and  it  thus  became  necessary  to 
reward  all  who  were  in  the  public  service.  As  the  town 
experienced  difficulty  in  this,  the  parishes  took  the 
matter  up  and  raised  the  money  by  taxation,  hence  the 
full  record  on  the  parish  books  of  those  who  took  part 
from  1777  to  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  appropriation  for  schools  in  the  Springfield 
Parish  in  1780  was  ,£1,418,  13^.,  ^d.  The  people 
suffered  from  high  taxation.  The  province  tax  in 
Dedham  in  1778  was  .£1,857,  13^.,  lod,  all  of  which 
had  to  be  paid  into  the  State  treasury  by  the  ist  of 
October. 

The  times  were  so  hard  during  this  period  that  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Caryl  of  his  own  will  relinquished  one-fifth  of 
his  meagre  salary  of  ,£66,  i$s.,  4^.,  making  a  salary  in 
these  hard  times  of  only  ,£53,  6s.,  %d.  ;  and,  before  the 
war  closed,  the  parish  was  obliged  to  raise  in  paying 
this  salary  four  thousand  pounds  in  Continental  money, 
to  meet  the  depreciation  in  currency.  The  parish 
raised  in  four  grants  three  thousand  eight  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds,  to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  war. 

In  1782  the  parish  met  three  obligations  by  voting 
H.  Peters  Allen,  Nathan  Draper,  and  Elijah  Dewing 
"one  cow  or  the  value  of -a  cow,  to  each  of  them  one- 
third  part,  for  engaging  a  limited  time  in  the  military 
service  in  the  army." 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION     in 

In  August,  1777,  the  parish  provided  itself  with  fire- 
arms, that  it  might  be  ready  for  an  emergency.  Deacon 
Haven  paid  ;£i8,  15^.  for  five  guns.  There  is  no  evi- 
dence that  the  guns  were  ever  used,  and  the  next  year 
they  were  sold  by  the  parish.  The  war  at  last  was 
over.  From  the  summit  of  many  hills  the  people  of 
Dover  have  witnessed  the  annual  display  of  fireworks 
in  the  city  of  Boston,  in  commemoration  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence ;  but  never  have  they  gathered  on 
our  hill-tops  in  larger  numbers  or  with  greater  joy  and 
enthusiasm  than  on  the  evening  of  February  27,  1784, 
when  the  city  celebrated  the  conclusion  of  peace  and 
the  establishment  of  a  new  nation.  The  financial 
straits  of  the  people  are  well  illustrated  in  the  follow- 
ing petition  of  Daniel  Whiting  —  a  lieutenant-colonel 
in  Colonel  Nixon's  regiment  and  the  highest  officer 
Dedham  had  in  the  Revolution  —  to  the  Massachu- 
setts General  Court,  made  April  18,  1782,  asking  for 
aid  in  his  distress  :  — 

Your  petitioner  humbly  shoiveth  : 

That  in  April,  1775,  he  enlisted  into  the  militia  service  of  the 
State  in  defence  of  the  lives,  liberties,  and  property  of  the  invaded 
and  injured  inhabitants  of  this  part  of  North  America,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  service  of  this  and  the  United  States  of  America, 
without  intermission  or  impeachment,  and  to  universal  acceptance, 
until  the  close  of  the  year  1 780,  at  which  time  the  regiment  was 
reduced,  and  your  petitioner  obtained  a  permission  to  retire  from 
the  army,  to  resume  the  care,  education,  and  direction  of  his  five 
motherless  children,  who  were  bereaved  in  his  absence,  in  which 
time  your  petitioner  sold  his  real  estate  and  lent  the  whole  pro- 
ceeds to  this  State,  a  very  small  part  excepted,  and  for  a  consid- 
erable part  of  his  wages  while  in  service  received  depreciated 
notes,  and  for  the  last  year's  service,  1 780,  has  received  no  more 


112  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

than  three  months'  wages,  the  nominal  sum  in  Continental  paper 
money  of  the  old  emission,  and  when  returning  from  the  army 
was  obliged  to  borrow  money  of  an  inhabitant  at  West  Point  to 
defray  his  expenses'  home,  being  in  want  of  forage  in  the  public 
stables,  both  which  debts  are  now  due  from  your  petitioner,  and 
he  has  received  no  allowance  for  the  deficiency  of  forage,  etc. 

And  now  all  the  estate  of  your  petitioner  that  is  not  consumed 
by  the  mutation  of  the  currency,  etc.,  is  in  public  securities ;  and 
his  debts  contracted  for  the  support  of  his  family,  and  some  debts 
he  owed  before  the  war, —  which  he  was  not  so  unjust  as  to  pay  in 
paper  currency, —  remain  unpaid,  and  he  is  taxed  and  classed  from 
time  to  time,  and  hath  not  wherewith  to  purchase  or  hire  a 
place  of  residence  for  himself  and  family,  and  replace  some  nec- 
essary personal  estate,  and  purchase  some  necessary  provisions 
and  clothing  for  upholding  life.  That  he  hath  such  public  securi- 
ties and  depreciated  notes,  one  or  more  of  which  were  due  about 
a  year  ago,  but  cannot  pay  his  debts  or  taxes  with  any  of  these, 
nor  procure  any  necessaries  of  life  upon  these,  nor  obtain  any 
money  for  services  on  said  securities  or  depreciated  notes  without 
the  aid  of  the  Honorable  Court. 

It  is  well  known  that  many  in  this  State  who  now  retain  their 
real  estate  in  their  own  possession,  never  would  lend  the  public 
any  part  of  their  property,  nor  perform  any  actual  service  in  per- 
son, were  at  home  with  their  families,  took  every  advantage,  and 
were  increasing  their  substances,  while  your  petitioner  was  in 
many  perils  in  the  Indian  country  and  other  parts,  many  times 
without  any  food,  tent,  barrack,  or  covering  at  the  same  time. 
And  they  even  now  have  recourse  to  complaint  of  oppression, 
injustice,  etc. 

All  your  petitioner  hath  is  in  the  hands  of  this  Commonwealth. 
Might  he,  shall  he,  pay  all  debts,  charges,  taxes,  etc.,  and  not  be 
able  to  obtain  any  part  that  is  due  to  him,  because  the  whole 
State  is  his  debtor?  If  his  securities  were  against  individuals 
in  private  life,  he  would  not  so  much  deplore  his  circumstances. 
But  your  petitioner  cannot  anticipate  the  thought  that  when  the 
whole  Commonwealth  or  United  States  are  justly  indebted  to  him 
for  his  services  and  suffering  in  the  army  as  well  as  the  whole  of 
his  real  estate,  and  himself  and  his  children  now  are  reduced  to  a 


SPRINGFIELD   PARISH  IN   THE   REVOLUTION     113 

great  strait,  and  not  for  the  want  of  charity  or  a  gift,  but  equi- 
table payment  of  part  of  his  just  dues,  the  Honorable  Court  will 
treat  his  petition  with  any  degree  of  neglect. 

Therefore  your  petitioner  prays  this  Honorable  Court  to  take 
his  very  singularly  distressing  circumstances  into  consideration 
and  order  one  or  more  of  his  said  notes  to  be  paid,  and  part 
of  his  last  year  wages,  and  as  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

(Signed)  DANIEL  WHITING. 

The  student  of  history  will  find  that  it  was  to  reward 
and  to  meet  the  obligations  of  the  new  government  to 
such  men  as  Daniel  Whiting  that  the  Ohio  grant  was 
made,  the  settlement  of  which  led  to  the  development 
of  the  great  Northwest. 

In  the  darkest  hours  of  the  Revolution,  General 
Washington,  who  was  familiar  with  the  country  from 
having  made  surveys,  cheered  his  officers  with  these 
words :  "  The  extensive  and  fertile  region  of  the  West 
will  yield  a  most  happy  asylum  to  those  who,  fond  of 
domestic  enjoyment,  are  seeking  for  personal  indepen- 
dence." As  early  as  1783  officers  of  the  Continental 
Army  to  the  number  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-five  had 
petitioned  Congress  to  allow  them  the  tract  of  land 
which  is  now  largely  included  in  the  territory  forming 
the  State  of  Ohio.  This  land  was  given  in  exchange 
for  a  million  dollars  of  the  evidence  of  public  debt. 

This  territory  was  known  as  the  Northwest.  Daniel 
Whiting  received  a  grant,  but  through  the  fraudulent 
act  of  another  it  was  lost  to  his  family. 

Few  relics  of  the  Revolution  remain  in  Dover.  A 
musket  carried  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  still  ex- 
ists, and  many  recall  a  wooden  canteen  which  Thomas 
Larrabee  used  in  the  service,  and  a  powder-horn  which 


H4  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

bore  the  inscription,  "  Thomas  Larrabee,  his  horn. 
Crown  Point,  1760."  There  appears  in  one  of  the 
illustrations  of  this  volume  the  picture  of  a  harrow, 
still  in  existence,  which  was  used  on  the  Chickering 
farm  during  the  morning  of  April  19,  1775,  when  word 
of  the  Lexington  fight  came. 

With  all  our  fathers  suffered  it  is  well  to  remember 
the  strict  discipline  of  the  Continental  Army.  The 
following  extracts  from  the  regimental  order-book  and 
notes  of  John  Pitman,'  a  native  of  Boston,  who  served 
in  the  army,  illustrate  this  fact  :  — 

"  The  Cort  Proseeded  to  the  Trial  of  Magnes  Noice  Confin'd 
for  Muteness  &  Bad  and  Disrespectful  Language  against  his  offi- 
cers And  wisht  one  half  of  them  in  Hell.  Said  Noice  pleads  guilty 
&  Bags  the  Marcy  of  the  Coart.  The  coart  Finds  the  prisonir 
Punashebel  agreable  to  the  5th  Artickel  &  18  section  of  the  Ar- 
tickels  of  War.  The  Cort  Considering  the  nature  of  his  offence 
Do  Order  him  to  Receive  Fifty  Strips  on  his  Naked  Back." 

One  Richard  Seften,  for  sleeping  away  from  his  quarters  and 
telling  a  "lye"  to  his  captain  about  it,  received  fifty-nine  lashes 
on  his  naked  back.  Oliver  Washburn  had  sixty-nine  lashes  for 
being  drunk.  Mark  Cargecld  had  thirty-nine  for  not  answering 
roll-call.  For  selling  a  leg  of  mutton  to  a  man  and  stealing  it 
back  again  twenty-five  lashes  were  given.  If  a  soldier  were  found 
with  his  hat  "  uncockt,"  he  was  liable  to  be  whipped.  When  the 
men  appeared  on  parade  with  their  "  arms  in  bad  order,  their 
cloathing  extremely  durty  &  slovingly  in  their  dress,''  minute 
details  and  orders  were  given  about  shaving,  washing  their  faces 
and  hands,  the  care  of  their  clothes,  of  their  tents,  their  bedding, 
their  food.  The  '•  eting  of  frute ''  was  forbidden,  as  was  "going 
a  swimming"  or  "drinking  Cold  water  when  hot."  An  officer 
was  appointed  whose  sole  business  was  to  inspect  "  the  manner  of 
coucking  &  see  that  the  men  Boil  or  Make  a  Soop  of  their  Meat 
which  is  Much  More  Conducive  to  health  than  the  Idle  Pracktice 
of  Briling  Meat  which  is  strickly  forbid.'' 

1  .%>?<>  England  Magazine,  June,  1X95. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

MILITARY    SERVICES. 

INDIVIDUAL  RECORDS  —  LEXINGTON  ALARM  —  DORCHESTER 
HEIGHTS  —  BATTLE  OF  BUNKER  HILL  —  TICONDEROGA 
—  RHODE  ISLAND  —  CASTLE  ISLAND  —  BOSTON  —  CAM- 
BRIDGE —  ROXBURY. 

"  When  freedom  from  her  mountain  height 

Unfurled  her  standard  to  the  air, 
She  tore  the  azure  robe  of  night 
And  set  the  stars  of  glory  there." 

Eleazer  Allen,  private,  born  August  21,  1740. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  April  19,  in  Capt. 
Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  was  absent  six  days,  and 
travelled  30!  miles.  Also  served  in  fortifying  Dor- 
chester Heights  in  1776. 

Eleazer  Allen,  Jr.,  served  at  Boston  seventy-five  days, 
1778. 

Hezekiah  Peters  Allen,  private  in  Major  Heath's 
detachment  of  guards  at  Boston  in  1779.  Served  at 
Castle  Island  in  1779,  enlisted  for  six  months'  service 
in  Continental  Army  in  1780,  re-enlisted  for  three 
years'  service  in  Continental  Army  in  1781.  In  1781 
made  application  to  the  parish  to  be  paid  for  his 
service. 

Hezekiah  Allen,  private,  born  April  15,  1724. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  in  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle's  company.  He  was  absent  one  day,  and  trav- 
elled 30$  miles. 


Il6  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Timothy  Allen,  private,  born  August  28,  1746. 
Marched  at  the  battle  of  Lexington,  in  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle's  company,  was  absent  three  days,  and  travelled 
40!  miles.  Also  served  in  1776  in  fortifying  Dor- 
chester Heights. 

Ephraim  Bacon,  Jr.,  private,  born  May  26,  1756. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  in  Captain  Battle's 
company,  was  absent  four  days,  and  travelled  30!  miles. 

Jeremiah  Bacon,  private,  born  August  24,  1729. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  six  days, 
and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  was  also  sergeant  in  Cap- 
tain Guild's  company  at  Dorchester  Heights  in  1776. 
Also  served  in  Rhode  Island  in  September,  1776. 

Jeremiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  guarded  at  Roxbury  seventeen 
days,  1778. 

John  Bacon,  private,  born  April  17,  1722.  Took  part 
at  Ticonderoga  in  1776,  serving  in  Captain  Stow's  com- 
pany. He  guarded  at  Providence  in  1778. 

Joseph  Bacon  served  in  Rhode  Island  in  1778. 

Josiah  Bacon,  private.  Guard  duty  in  Roxbury, 
1776.  Marched  on  alarm  at  Rhode  Island  in  August, 
1778. 

Josiah  Bacon,  Jr.,  private,  born  January  6,  1730. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  twelve 
days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  also  served  in  forti- 
fying Dorchester  Heights  in  1776,  and  took  part  in 
Rhode  Island  in  1778,  and  did  guard  duty  at  Roxbury 
the  same  year. 

Michael  Bacon,  drummer,  Castle  Island  nineteen 
days,  1776;  Castle  Island  thirty-three  days,  1778. 

Moses  Bacon,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm,  was  absent  seven  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 


MILITARY   SERVICES  117 

He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  did 
service  at  Castle  Island  in  1776  and  guard  duty  at 
Roxbury  in  1778. 

Silas  Bacon,  private,  born  September  n,  1758. 
Served  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Everett's  company  and 
Colonel  Mclntosh's  regiment.  Marched  on  an  alarm  at 
Rhode  Island,  August  I,  1778. 

Ebenezer  Battle,  born  January  7,  1727-28,  was  cap- 
tain of  the  Dover  company  of  minute-men,  sixty-five  of 
whom  marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  April  19,  1775. 
He  served  in  the  taking  of  Dorchester  Heights,  1776  ; 
was  commissioned  captain  May  10,  1776;  served  in 
Colonel  Mclntosh's  regiment,  also  Col.  Jonathan  Tit- 
comb's  regiment  ;  was  at  Castle  Island  in  1 776,  at 
Providence  in  1777,  at  Roxbury  in  1778;  was  made  a 
second  major  in  1780. 

Ebenezer  Battle,  Jr.,  private,  born  Eebruary  4,  1754. 
Alarched  under  his  father  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was 
absent  eight  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  Also 
served  at  Providence  in  1 776,  and  at  Roxbury  in  1 778. 

Hezekiah  Battle,  born  January  12,  1758.  Was  a  fifer 
in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  and  marched  at  the 
Lexington  alarm.  He  was  absent  three  days,  and 
travelled  40!  miles.  He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorches- 
ter Heights,  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and 
was  at  the  siege  of  Boston,  and  also  at  Castle  Island  in 
1776,  at  Roxbury  in  1778,  and  enlisted  in  the  Conti- 
nental Army  for  nine  months  in  1778. 

John  Battle,  born  October  1 1,  1741.  Was  second 
lieutenant  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company  at  the 
Lexington  alarm,  April  19,  1775.  He  was  absent  six 
days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 


Il8  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Jonathan  Battle,  private,  born  May  30,  1724. 
Guarded  Governor's  Island  in  1778  for  thirty-two  days. 

Joseph  Battle,  born  April  23,  1763,  served  in  Rhode 
Island  in  1778. 

Josiah  Battle,  private,  born  July  15,  1756.  Marched 
at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  seven  days,  and 
travelled  40!  miles.  He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorches- 
ter Heights,  and  did  guard  duty  at  Roxbury  in  1778. 
He  was  also  at  Providence  the  same  year,  and  enlisted 
for  nine  months'  service  in  the  Continental  Army  in 
1778. 

Jabez  Baker,  born  December  9,  1737.  Was  a  ser- 
geant in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  which 
marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm.  He  was  absent 
twelve  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 

John  Brown  served  at  Castle  Island  in  1776,  at 
Roxbury  in  1778,  also  at  Rhode  Island  in  1778. 

Thomas  Burridge,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexing- 
ton alarm,  was  absent  five  days,  and  marched  40!  miles. 

James  Cheney,  sergeant,  marched  at  the  Lexing- 
ton alarm  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  and  was 
absent  three  days.  Guarded  Burgoyne's  troops  near 
Boston  in  1777-78. 

Joseph  Cheney.  Guarded  Burgoyne's  troops  near 
Boston  in  1777-78. 

John  Cheney,  private,  marched  at  Lexington  alarm 
under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  three  days,  and 
travelled  40^  miles.  Was  at  Castle  Island  nineteen 
days,  1776,  and  did  guard  duty  in  Roxbury  in  1778. 

Daniel  Chickering,  private,  born  December  30,  1718. 
Marched  at  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was 
absent  four  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  Served  at 


MILITARY    SERVICES  119 

Castle  Island  nineteen  days,  1776;  on  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle's  pay-roll,  1783;  guarded  at  Cambridge  in  1778. 

Daniel  Chickering,  Jr.,  private,  born  August  20,  1758. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle,  was  absent  three  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 
He  marched  in  the  expedition  to  Rhode  Island  in  1778  ; 
Boston,  twenty-six  days,  1778. 

John  Chickering,  corporal,  born  August  24,  1744. 
Marched  at  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was 
absent  six  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  Served  at 
Dorchester  Heights,  guarded  at  Roxbury  in  1778. 

Joseph  Chickering,  private,  born  April  20,  1755. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  in  Captain  Battle's 
company.  He  was  absent  four  days,  and  travelled  40! 
miles. 

Nathaniel  Chickering,  private,  born  March  24,  1750. 
Marched  under  Captain  Battle  at  the  Lexington  alarm. 
Was  absent  two  days,  and  travelled  30!  miles.  He  took 
part  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776. 

Samuel  Chickering,  private,  born  March  18,  1722. 
Was  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  in  Brewer's  regiment. 
He  took  part  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights.  Was 
at  Ticonderoga  in  1776,  and  did  guard  duty  at  Boston 
in  1778. 

David  Cleveland  first  served  in  the  last  French  war. 
He  marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  being  a  private  in 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company.  '  Was  absent  four 
days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 

Nathan  Cook,  private,  took  part  in  fortifying  Dorches- 
ter Heights.  \Vas  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  under 
Capt.  Daniel  Whiting.  He  served  at  Ticonderoga  in 
1776,  did  guard  duty  at  Roxbury,  1778,  and  entered  the 
Continental  Army. 


120  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Abijah  Crane,  private,  born  March  20,  1761.  Was 
under  Capt.  Timothy  Stowe  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776. 
Enlisted  December  3,  1779,  Continental  Army,  three 
years'  service. 

Ralph  Day,  private,  born  June  19,  1717.  Marched 
at  the  Lexington  alarm,  April  19,  1775,  under  Captain 
Battle.  He  was  absent  two  days,  and  travelled  40! 
miles. 

Luke  Dean,  private,  born  May  27,  1750,  marched 
under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  at  Lexington  alarm.  Was 
absent  nine  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  took 
part  in  Brewer's  regiment  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
also  served  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights.  He 
served  in  the  army  at  the  siege  of  Boston,  and  was 
a  corporal  of  his  company ;  served  eight  months  and 
twenty  days  in  1778. 

Elijah  Dewing  guarded  in  and  about  Boston  in  1777. 

James  Draper,  private,  born  February  20,  1732-33. 
Marched  at  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was 
absent  one  day,  travelled  30!  miles.  Also  served  at 
Dorchester  Heights. 

John  Draper,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  one  day,  and 
travelled  305  miles.  Guarded  stores  three  months  in 
1777;  at  Cambridge,  1778. 

Joseph  Draper,  Jr.,  private,  born  June  9,  1731. 
Marched  at  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was 
absent  three  days,  and  travelled  40 '^  miles. 

Josiah  Draper,  private,  born  August  2,  1758.  Took 
part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  in  Brewer's  regiment. 
Served  in  the  army  at  the  siege  of  Boston. 

Moses     Draper,    private,     born     February     9,     1754. 


MILITARY    SERVICES  12  I 

Marched  at  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was 
absent  four  days,  and  travelled  30!  miles.  He  was  in 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  in  Brewer's  regiment. 

Nathaniel  Draper,  private,  born  September  18,  1732. 
Entered  the  Continental  Army,  served  from  July  17, 
1780,  to  December  23,  1780. 

Jesse  Ellis,  sergeant,  born  October  25,  1740.  Served 
in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company  one  day,  1775  ; 
also  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and  at  Ticonderoga  under 
Captain  Stow  in  1776. 

John  Ellis,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm 
under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  one  day,  and  travelled 
30!  miles. 

Aaron  Fairbanks,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexing- 
ton alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  eight 
days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  also  took  part  in 
fortifying  Dorchester  Heights. 

Aaron  Farrington,  born  March  7,  1755.  Did  guard 
duty  at  or  near  Boston  in  1778. 

Ichabod  Farrington  was  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776  in 
Capt.  Timothy  Stow's  company,  and  did  guard  duty  in 
and  about  Boston  in  1778.  Enlisted  in  Continental 
Army  for  nine  months  in  1778. 

Israel  Farrington,  Jr.,  took  part  at  Ticonderoga  in 
1776,  in  Capt.  Timothy  Stow's  company. 

Samuel  Farrington,  born  October  4,  1730.  Served 
under  Captain  Battle  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights, 
was  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776,  and  did  guard  duty  at 
Roxbury  in  1778. 

Thomas  Ferrett,  private.  Marched  under  Capt. 
Ebenezer  Battle  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent 
two  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 


122  HISTORY    OF    DOTEK 

John  Fisher,  private.  Marched  under  Captain  Battle 
at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  away  ten  days,  and 
marched  40!  miles.  Was  at  Castle  Island,  1776. 

Joseph  Fisher,  sergeant.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Captain  Battle.  Was  absent  eight  days, 
and  marched  40!  miles.  He  engaged  in  fortifying 
Dorchester  Hill. 

William  Fisher,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  four  days,  and 
travelled  40$  miles.  Served  at  Dorchester  Heights, 
1776. 

Samuel  Fisher,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm,  was  absent  six  days,  and  travelled  30!  miles. 

David  Fuller,  private,  born  December  6,  1731. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  in  Capt.  Fbenezer 
Battle's  company,  was  absent  two  days,  and  travelled 
40!  miles.  He  served  the  parish  on  a  committee  to 
raise  men  to  go  into  the  army,  and  money  to  meet 
the  expenses  of  the  war. 

Daniel  Fuller,  born  November  6,  1760.  Did  guard 
duty  in  1778,  for  which  his  father  received  compensa- 
tion from  the  parish.  Enlisted  in  Continental  Army  for 
six  months,  July  15,  1780. 

Thomas  Gardner,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexing- 
ton alarm  under  Capt.  Fbenezer  Battle,  was  absent  ten 
days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  took  part  in  1/76  in 
fortifying  Dorchester  Heights. 

Ebenezer  Gay,  private.  Served  at  the  siege  of  Bos- 
ton. He  took  part  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  1 1  ill  in 
Brewer's  regiment,  served  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and 
later  enlisted  in  Capt.  Timothy  Stow's  company,  and 
served  at  Ticonderoga  in  17/6  and  at  Providence  in 
1777. 


MILITARY   SERVICES  123 

Ezra  Gay,  private,  born  February  19,  1721. 
Marched  in  the  West  Dedham  company  under  Capt. 
Daniel  Draper  at  the  Lexington  alarm.  He  travelled 
24  miles,  and  was  absent  two  days.  He  served  in 
Captain  Stow's  company  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776. 

James  Gay,  private.  Was  at  the  siege  of  Boston. 
He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  serving  in 
Capt.  Daniel  Whiting's  company  in  Brewer's  regiment. 
Was  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and  served  at  Ticonderoga 
in  1776  in  Ephraim  Wheelock's  regiment;  guarded  in 
Boston  three  months,  1778. 

Stephen  Gay,  private,  born  August  20,  1719.  Did 
guard  duty  in  Roxbury  in  1778,  at  Dorchester  in  1778. 
Enlisted  in  the  Continental  Army  for  six  months  in 
1780  and  for  three  years  in  1781. 

Elias  Haven,  private.  Marched  under  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  and  was  the  only  soldier 
from  Dedham  who  was  killed  in  the  encounter.  He 
was  shot  by  a  British  soldier  near  the  meeting-house  at 
Arlington. 

Lemuel  Herring,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  in  Capt.  David  Fairbanks's  company  from  West 
Dedham.  He  was  absent  two  days,  and  received  five 
shillings  for  his  services.  He  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill  under  Capt.  Daniel  Whiting,  and  was  at 
the  siege  of  Boston.  He  was  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776, 
and  served  at  Providence,  R.I.,  in  1777,  and  in  the 
Rhode  Island  expedition  in  1778. 

Petitiah  Herring,  private,  born  September  16,  1721. 
Served  in  1775  at  the  siege  of  Boston.  He  took  part 
in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  being  in  Brewer's  regi- 
ment. Guarded  at  Watertown  in  1778. 


124  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Petitiah  Herring,  Jr.,  private,  born  March  28,  1750. 
Served  for  four  months  in  the  spring  of  1776,  at  or 
near  Boston. 

Adam  Jones,  born  June  25,  1760.  Did  guard  duty 
at  Roxbury  in  1778. 

Oliver  Kenrick,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  was  absent 
two  days,  and  travelled  405  miles. 

Jesse  Knapp,  sergeant.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  was  absent 
eight  days,  and  travelled  405-  miles.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  serving  in  Capt.  Daniel  Whit- 
ing's company.  He  took  part  in  fortifying  Dorchester 
Heights,  and  was  in  the  army  at  the  siege  of  Boston. 

Thomas  Larrabee,  private.  Took  part  at  Ticon- 
deroga  in  1776,  and  later  entered  the  Continental 
Army.  He  did  service  in  New  Jersey,  and  guard  duty 
in  and  about  Boston  in  1778. 

James  Mann,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  seven  days,  and 
travelled  40  miles.  Served  in  fortifying  Dorchester 
Heights. 

Asa  Mason,  lieutenant.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Captain  Battle,  was  absent  thirteen  days, 
and  travelled  40!  miles.  Served  at  Dorchester  Heights 
and  Castle  Island  in  1776. 

John  Mason,  private,  born  August  23,  1737. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle, 
was  absent  eight  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  Served 
at  Dorchester  Heights. 

Moses  Mason,  private,  born  March  11,  1752. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle, 


MILITARY   SERVICES  125 

was  absent  three  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  Also 
served  at  Castle  Island  in  1776. 

William  Mansfield,  private.  Took  part  at  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  serving  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  com- 
pany. He  was  absent  three  days,  and  marched  40! 
miles. 

Nathaniel  Metcalf,  private,  born  May  29,  1714. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle,  was  absent  three  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles. 
He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights. 

Thomas  Morse,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  was  absent  three 
days,  and  travelled  40?  miles.  He  took  part  in  the 
battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  serving  in  Brewer's  regiment, 
and  was  in  the  army  at  the  siege  of  Boston.  He  did 
guard  duty  at  Roxbury  in  1 778. 

Nathaniel  Mellen  guarded  Burgoyne's  troops  near 
Boston  for  five  months  in  1777. 

Joseph  Parker,  private.  Was  in  the  battle  of  Lex- 
ington under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle.  He  was  absent 
nine  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  took  part  in 
fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  and  was  in  the  army  at 
the  siege  of  Boston. 

Ebenezer  Newell,  born  October  18,  1736.  Took  an 
active  part  in  the  contest  which  led  up  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. He  was  a  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Joseph  Guild's 
company  of  minute-men  who  marched  from  Dedham 
at  the  Lexington  alarm.  In  1776  he  became  a  lieu- 
tenant in  the  first  Boston  regiment.  He  was  at  Fort 
Hancock  on  Cape  Elizabeth,  Maine.  Guarded  Bur- 
goyne's troops  one  hundred  and  fifty  days,  1777-78. 

Theodore  Newell,  born  May  20,  1744.      Was  a  cor- 


126  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

poral  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company,  which 
marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  April  19,  1775.  He 
was  absent  eight  days,  and  travelled  4O|  miles. 

John  Reed  guarded  stores  fifteen  days,  and  was  paid 
for  his  services  by  the  Parish. 

Asa  Richards,  private,  born  October  9,  1743. 
Marched  April  19,  1775,  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's 
company  of  minute-men.  He  was  absent  two  days,  and 
travelled  30^  miles.  He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorches- 
ter Hill,  and  was  a  lieutenant  in  a  company  which 
guarded  Roxbury. 

Abijah  Richards,  private,  born  July  2,  1758. 
Guarded  in  and  about  Boston  in  1777,  enlisted  in  the 
Continental  Army,  was  in  camp  near  Valley  Forge  in 
1778.  Thirteen  months,  five  days'  service. 

David  Richards  served  in  Rhode  Island  six  months 
and  ten  days  in  1778. 

Ebenezer  Richards,  corporal,  born  January  12,  1718, 
son  of  James  Richards.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm,  April  19,  1775,  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle. 
He  marched  30;!  miles,  and  was  away  four  days.  He 
served  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and  did  guard  duty  at 
Roxbury  and  Providence. 

Jesse  Richards,  born  September  28,  1762.  Guarded 
in  and  about  Boston  in  1778.  It  will  be  observed  that 
he  was  only  sixteen  years  of  age. 

Josiah  Richards,  born  November  15,  1749.  Enlisted 
in  Capt.  Daniel  Whiting's  company,  April  24,  1775,  for 
three  months  and  fifteen  days.  He  engaged  in  the 
work  of  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  and  took  part  in 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  He  is  said  to  have  fired 
twenty-four  rounds,  knocked  down  a  British  officer  with 


MILITARY   SERVICES  127 

the  butt  of  his  musket,  and  retreated,  running  directly 
over  the  body  of  General  Warren.  It  is  related  of  him, 
in  Morse's  Genealogy  of  the  Richards  Family,  that  one 
night,  being  on  guard,  Washington,  to  test  his  fidelity, 
as  he  was  wont  to  do  in  other  cases,  appeared  before 
him.  Richards  challenged  with  "  Who  comes  there  ?  " 
"  A  friend,"  replied  Washington.  "  Friend,  advance 
and  give  the  countersign."  Washington  gave  the 
wrong  name.  "  Stand,"  exclaimed  Josiah,  "the  counter- 
sign is  not  right."  "  It  is  of  no  consequence,"  said 
Washington  ;  "  I  am  your  commander-in-chief  and  must 
pass,  as  I  have  important  business."  Josiah  presented 
his  bayonet,  and  told  him  if  he  advanced  another  step 
that  he  would  run  him  through.  Washington  turned, 
went  to  the  officer  of  the  guard,  took  his  name,  and  the 
next  day  sent  for  him,  and  clapped  him  on  the  shoulder, 
adding,  "  My  good  fellow,  you  were  faithful  and  true 
last  night ;  and  I  will  see  that  you  are  promoted." 

Lemuel  Richards,  born  January  22,  1737.  He  was 
a  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Timothy  Stow's  company,  in 
Col.  Ephraim  Wheelock's  regiment,  which  was  sta- 
tioned at  Ticonderoga  in  1776.  He  did  other  service 
in  and  about  Boston  in  guard  duty.  He  had  previously 
served  in  the  last  French  war. 

Moses  Richards,  corporal,  born  December  11,  1739. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  in  Capt.  Ebenezer 
Battle's  company.  He  was  absent  twelve  days,  and 
marched  40!  miles.  He  engaged  in  the  work  of  fortify- 
ing Dorchester  Heights,  and  did  service  at  Ticonderoga 
in  1776;  also  in  the  French  war  previous  to  the 
Revolution. 

Richard  Richards,  private,  born  December  5,   1749, 


128  HISTORY    OF   DOTEK 

son  of  Capt.  Thomas  Richards.  Marched  at  the  Lex- 
ington alarm,  April  19,  1775,  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's 
company.  He  was  away  three  days,  and  marched  40^ 
miles.  He  also  took  part  in  fortifying  Dorchester 
Heights. 

Samuel  Richards,  private,  born  September  9,  1757, 
son  of  Samuel  Richards.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  was  absent  four 
days,  and  marched  40!  miles.  He  was  an  apprentice  in 
a  bakery  in  Boston,  and  during  the  siege  daily  carried 
bread  to  the  British  troops. 

Solomon  Richards,  private,  born  October  21,  1751. 
Was  for  many  years  commander  of  a  company  of 
cavalry.  He  marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under 
Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle.  He  was  absent  three  days,  and 
marched  3O|  miles.  He  engaged  in  fortifying  Dor- 
chester Heights.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  Ephraim 
Wheelock's  company  at  Ticonderoga,  1776. 

Thacleus  Richards,  corporal,  born  November  14, 
1747.  Served  at  Dorchester  Heights,  and  entered 
Captain  Stow's  company  in  Col.  Ephraim  Wheelock's 
regiment,  and  was  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776.  Guarded 
fifteen  days  in  1778. 

Barach  Smith,  private.  Marched  at  Lexington  alarm, 
in  Captain  Battle's  company,  and  engaged  in  fortifying 
Dorchester  Heights.  Served  at  Ticonderoga  in  1776, 
and  did  guard  duty  at  Roxbury  in  1778,  also  at  Provi- 
dence in  the  same  year. 

Ebenezer  Smith,  private,  born  February  26,  1747—48. 
Marched  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle  at  Lexington 
alarm,  was  absent  two  days,  and  travelled  30:1  miles. 
Served  at  Dorchester  Heights  in  1776. 


MILITARY   SERVICES  129 

Joseph  Smith,  born  August  25,  1746.  Took  part  at 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  in  Brewer's  regiment,  and  also 
served  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights.  He  was  in 
the  army  at  the  siege  of  Boston. 

Elias  Stimson,  private.  Took  part  at  the  battle  of 
Lexington,  serving  in  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle's  company, 
was  absent  six  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles.  He 
engaged  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  and  was  at 
Ticonderoga  in  1776  under  Captain  Stow.  Served  in 
Rhode  Island  in  1778. 

Silas  Taft,  private.  Marched  under  Captain  Battle 
at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  three  days,  and 
travelled  40$  miles.  Served  in  Rhode  Island  in  1780. 

Henry  Tisdale,  private.  Marched  at  the  Lexington 
alarm  in  Captain  Battle's  company.  He  was  absent 
four  days,  and  travelled  40^  miles.  Also  served  at 
Dorchester  Heights. 

Aaron  Whiting,  born  in  1745.  Marched  at  the  Lex- 
ington alarm  under  Captain  Battle.  When  the  call  was 
given  he  was  ploughing  in  the  field.  He  left  the 
plough  in  the  furrow,  and  the  oxen  to  be  unyoked  and 
driven  to  pasture  by  his  wife.  April  24,  1775,  he 
entered  Capt.  Daniel  Whiting's  company  in  Colonel 
Brewer's  regiment  as  a  sergeant,  and  served  thirteen 
months  and  fifteen  days.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill.  He  stood  beside  his  brother-in-law,  Elias 
Haven,  when  he  was  shot  down  at  Arlington,  April  19, 
1775.  During  1776  Mr.  Whiting  was  a  member  of 
Capt.  Timothy  Stow's  company,  and  was  at  Ticonderoga. 
Marched  to  Dorchester  in  first  Dedham  company  on 
the  alarm,  March  4,  1776.  \Vas  appointed  an  ensign  in 
Jonathan  Brewer's  regiment,  but  owing  to  the  confusion 


130  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

that  took  place  June  17,  1775,  was  not  commissioned. 
He  was  later  recommended  to  be  commissioned  by 
General  Washington. 

Daniel  Whiting,  born  February  5,  1732-33.  Served 
as  first  lieutenant  in  Captain  Battle's  company  of 
minute-men  at  the  Lexington  alarm.  April  24,  1775, 
he  was  made  a  captain  in  Colonel  Brewer's  regiment, 
and  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.  January  I, 
1776,  he  entered  Colonel  Alden's  battalion,  and  on  the 
death  of  that  brave  commander  at  Cherry  Valley, 
November  10,  1778,  took  command  of  the  forces. 
November  6,  1776,  he  was  made  a  major  in  Col.  Asa 
Whitcomb's  regiment,  and  served  until  December  31, 
1776,  at  Ticonderoga.  On  January  I,  1777,  he  entered 
the  Continental  Army  in  Colonel  Brooks's  regiment  and 
served  three  years.  September  29,  1778,  he  was  made 
a  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Sixth  Regiment,  and  served 
until  December  31,  1779.  On  January  i,  1780,  he 
entered  Colonel  Nixon's  regiment,  and  served  until 
1781.  Before  the  Revolution  he  served  in  the  French 
and  Indian  War.  He  was  in  William  Bacon's  company 
from  Dedham  at  Crown  Point  in  1755. 

Ellis  Whiting,  born  September  29,  1760.  Engaged 
in  the  Rhode  Island  expedition  in  August,  1778.  Also 
served  at  Governor's  Island  in  1778. 

Jabez  Whiting,  private,  born  January  11,  1758. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm  under  Captain  Battle, 
was  absent  three  clays,  and  travelled  40^  miles.  He 
engaged  in  fortifying  Dorchester  Heights,  and  was  in 
the  Rhode  Island  expedition  in  1778,  and  served  in 
Roxbury  in  1778. 

Jonathan  Whiting,  born  April    13,  1731.      Served  at 


MILITARY   SERVICES  131 

the  Lexington  alarm  in  Capt.  William  Ellis's  company 
of  Dedham,  enlisted  in  the  army,  and  served  at  Ticon- 
deroga  in  1776. 

Ephraim  Wilson,  private,  born  January  18,  1737. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  six  days, 
and  travelled  40!  miles  in  Captain  Battle's  company. 
He  served  under  Captain  Battle  in  fortifying  Dor- 
chester Hill. 

Samuel  Wilson,  private,  born  April  25,  1718. 
Marched  at  the  Lexington  alarm,  was  absent  four  days, 
and  travelled  40!  miles.  He  engaged  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill  in  Brewer's  regiment,  and  served  at  the 
siege  of  Boston.  Also  engaged  in  fortifying  Dorchester 
Hill. 

Seth  Wight,  Jr.,  private.  Marched  at  the  battle  of 
Lexington  under  Capt.  Ebenezer  Battle,  was  absent 
four  days,  and  travelled  40!  miles  ;  was  hired  by  the 
Medfield  Selectmen  to  re-enforce  the  army  at  or  near 
New  York  in  December,  1776. 


CHAPTER    X. 

MILITARY    SERVICES.—  Continued. 

SHAYS'S  REBELLION  —  DIFFICULTY  IN  RAISING  SOLDIERS  — 
SECOND  WAR  WITH  GREAT  BRITAIN  —  PORTS  BLOCKADED 
—  SERVICE  OF  DOVER  SOLDIERS — MILITIA  —  SERVICE  OF 
DOVER  OFFICERS  IN  THE  MILITIA  —  MEMORIAL  DAY. 

Wake  in  our  breasts  the  living  fires, 
The  holy  faith  that  warmed  our  sires. 
Thy  hand  hath  made  our  nation  free : 
To  die  for  her  is  serving  thee. 

—  HOLMES. 

Residents  of  Dover  must  have  taken  part  in  main- 
taining in  the  western  part  of  the  State  the  supremacy 
of  the  law  in  what  is  called  "  Shays's  Rebellion,"  as  the 
State  made  a  requisition  for  soldiers  in  December, 
1 786  ;  but  no  record  has  been  found  of  her  service. 

After  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  it  was  not 
easy  to  hire  soldiers  ;  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  the 
quota  of  the  town  was  raised  to  meet  the  demands  of  an 
army  of  eighty  thousand  soldiers,  which  was  created  by 
Congress  in  1794. 

The  soldiers  demanded  twelve  dollars  a  month,  with 
he  assurance  of  good  money,  and  two  dollars  as  at 
bounty  for  enlisting.  This  demand  was  rejected  ;  and 
it  was  voted  "to  make  up  the  soldier's  pay,  with  the 
Continental,  to  three  pounds  a  month,  and  one  dollar  as 
a  bounty." 

Under  these  conditions  it  was  most  difficult  "  to  hire 
soldiers  to  go  into  the  service  of  the  United  States  and 


MILITARY  SERVICES  133 

stand  ready  to  march  at  a  minute's  warning."  Later 
in  the  year  the  district  was  petitioned  "  that  more 
money  may  be  granted  to  make  the  soldiers  volunteer." 

The  War  of  1812  was  far  from  being  popular  in 
eastern  Massachusetts.  Nevertheless,  the  people  were 
patriotic  enough  to  supplement  the  pay  of  the  United 
States  government,  as  a  vote  passed  in  1807  shows: 
"  Voted  to  pay  the  militia  which  was  detached  to  be  in 
readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,  in  addition 
to  government  pay,  the  sum  of  four  pounds  a  month 
after  they  are  called  upon  to  march  into  actual  service." 
Few  could  be  induced  to  enter  the  service. 

As  the  eastern  ports  were  blockaded,  many  residents 
engaged  in  transporting  merchandise  overland  with 
ox-teams  from  Boston  to  New  York  and  other  cities. 
The  round  trip  to  Philadelphia  occupied  six  weeks  in 
all. 

Among  those  who  engaged  in  this  service  were 
James  Tisdale,  Draper  Smith,  Aaron  Draper,  Arnold 
Wight,  Joseph  Larrabee,  and  Calvin  Newell. 

Aaron  Whiting  accompanied  an  expedition  to  Albany, 
loaded  with  gunpowder  ;  and,  as  the  wagon-wheels  were 
fitted  to  wooden  axle-trees,  they  had  to  be  constantly 
watched  and  often  greased  lest  friction  should  set  fire 
to  the  load.  The  company  often  passed  the  night  in 
the  wilderness  sleeping  under  their  wagons  ;  and  Mr. 
Whiting  never  forgot  the  howling  of  the  wolves,  which 
sounded  so  fearful  to  his  young  ears  in  the  Becket 
woods. 

Joseph  Larrabee  went  with  others  to  New  Jersey? 
loaded  with  silk  and  velvet.  While  travelling  through 
Connecticut  on  Sunday,  they  were  stopped  by  an  officer 


134  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

of  the  law,  who  commanded  them  to  put  up  their  teams. 
A  spokesman  explained  to  the  officer  that  if  detained 
they  should  hold  the  town  responsible  for  the  cargo 
in  case  anything  befell  it.  Learning  the  value,  which 
was  placed  at  ten  thousand  dollars,  they  were  instructed 
to  pass  on  to  the  next  village. 

Mr.  Larrabee  was  fond  of  describing  the  ferry-boat 
which  in  those  days  plied  across  the  Hudson  River.  It 
was  propelled  by  a  horse  attached  to  a  long  beam  which 
moved  round  and  round  like  an  old-fashioned  cider-mill. 

As  far  as  known  the  following  is  the  service  of  Dover 
soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812:— 

Ebenezer  Wilkinson,  drafted  into  the  service. 

George  Fisher,  captain  of  a  company  in  Colonel 
Page's  regiment,  Massachusetts  Militia,  from  August  2 
to  October  2,  1814. 

Daniel  Fuller,  captain  of  a  company  in  Lieut. -Col. 
James  Appleton's  regiment,  Massachusetts  Militia,  from 
September  19  to  October  12,  1814;  private  in  Capt. 
Seth  Hamlin's  company,  Lieut. -Col.  David  Nye's  regi- 
ment, from  January  28  to  January  31,  1814. 

Fisher  Ayers,  private,  Capt.  George  Fisher's  com- 
pany, Colonel  Page's  regiment,  Massachusetts  Militia, 
from  August  2  to  November  3,  1814. 

After  the  passage  by  Parliament,  in  1774,  of  the 
several  bills  which  were  so  obnoxious  to  the  people 
of  Massachusetts,  including  the  nullification  of  their 
charter,  correspondence  was  opened  with  other  colonies, 
and  a  militia  was  organized  in  case  the  British  should 
resort  to  force. 

Capt.  Kbenezer  Battle  was  at  the  head  of  the  Dover 
company.  So  the  history  of  our  militia  goes  back  to 


MILITARY   SERVICES  135 

this  time,  and  the  names  of  the  early  members  are 
found  in  the  list  of  those  who  took  part  in  the  battle 
of  Lexington. 

The  militia  laws  of  Massachusetts  go  back  to  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Commonwealth, 
which  went  into  effect  October  25,  1780. 

These  laws  were  somewhat  modified  in  1793,  and 
made  to  conform  to  the  laws  of  Congress  enacted  in 
1792.  Military  companies  were  organized  throughout 
the"  State  ;  and  Dover,  like  other  places,  had  its  military 
organization. 

In  the  words  of  the  law  every  able-bodied  white  male 
citizen  was  "  required  to  be  constantly  provided  with  a 
good  musket  or  firelock,  a  sufficient  bayonet  and  belt, 
two  square  flints  and  a  knapsack,  a  pouch  with  a  box 
therein  to  contain  not  less  than  twenty-four  cartridges 
suited  to  the  bore  of  his  musket  or  firelock,  each  car- 
tridge to  contain  a -proper  quantity  of  powder  and  ball, 
or  with  a  good  rifle,  knapsack,  shot-pouch,  and  powder- 
horn,  twenty  balls  suited  to  the  bore  of  his  rifle,  and  a 
quarter  of  a  pound  of  powder,  and  shall  appear  so 
armed,  accoutred,  and  provided  when  called  out  to  ex- 
ercise, except,  when  called  out  on  company  days  to 
exercise  only,  he  may  appear  without  knapsack.  Com- 
missioned officers  shall  be  severally  armed  with  a  sword 
or  hanger  and  esponton."  The  following  appear  as 
commissioned  officers  of  the  militia :  — 

Hezekiah  Allen,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  March  16,  1789. 

Jared  Allen,  lieutenant,  cavalry,  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  May  2,  1815. 

Perez    Allen,    lieutenant,    First     Regiment,    Second 


I36  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Brigade,  First  Division,  May  12,  1797;  promoted  cap- 
tain, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  5,  1801. 

Timothy  Allen,  Jr.,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  6,  1 806  ;  promoted  cap- 
tain, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
March  26,  1810. 

Horace  Bacon,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  May  18,  1813;  promoted  lieuten- 
ant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
July  31,  1815  ;  discharged  September  i,  1818. 

Silas  Bacon,  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  March  16,  1789;  promoted  captain, 
First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  3, 
1796. 

Fleazer  Battle,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  May  3,  1826  ;  discharged  April  24, 
1840. 

Eleazer  Battle,  captain,  Eighth  Company,  First 
Regiment;  promoted  colonel,  First  Regiment,  July  i, 
1781. 

Hezekiah  Battle,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  May  16,  1789;  promoted  lieuten- 
ant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  3,  1796;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment,  Sec- 
ond Brigade,  First  Division,  May  12,  1797. 

Jonathan  Battle,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  May  3,  1796;  promoted  lieutenant, 
First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May 
12,  1797. 

Josiah  Battle,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  February  4,  1787. 


MILITARY   SERVICES  137 

Ralph  Battle,  paymaster  field  and  staff,  First  Regi- 
ment, Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  April  i,  1818  ; 
discharged  May  30,  1823. 

Rufus  Battle,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  December  12,  1820;  promoted 
lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Di- 
vision, March  24,  1823;  promoted  captain,  First  Regi- 
ment, Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  6,  1824; 
discharged  April  26,  1826. 

William  Blake,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  April  15,  1833  ;  promoted  lieuten- 
ant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  3,  1836  ;  discharged  April  22,  1840. 

Uriah  Brett,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  December  30,  1818;  promoted  lieuten- 
ant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
December  12,  1820. 

John  Burridge,  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  June  11,  1801  ;  promoted  cap- 
tain, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
September  26,  1803  ;  promoted  major,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  3,  1804. 

Obed  Burridge,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  June  11,  1801  ;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
September  26,  1803  ;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  June  25,  1804. 

Charles  Draper,  cornet,  regiment  of  cavalry,  March 
5,  1821  ;  promoted  lieutenant,  June  25,  1822  ;  dis- 
charged March  4,  1826. 

Jesse  Draper,  cornet,  regiment  of  cavalry,  April  27, 
1807  ;  discharged  March  i,  1810. 


138  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

Eleazer  Ellis,  major,  Second  Regiment,  First  Division, 
March  14,  1788. 

Benjamin  Fairbanks,  first  lieutenant,  First  Regi- 
ment Cavalry,  July  I,  1781. 

Daniel  Fisher,  Jr.,  captain,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Cavalry,  July  I,  1781  ;  colonel,  Second  Regiment,  First" 
Division,  March  14,  1788. 

George  Fisher,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  26,  1810;  promoted  cap- 
tain, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  5,  1812;  promoted  major,  May  30,  1815,  First 
Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division ;  promoted 
lieutenant-colonel,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  June  n,  1816;  promoted  brevet-colonel, 
June  20,  1816;  discharged  February  19,  1820. 

Daniel  Fuller,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  June  8,  1818  ;  promoted  lieutenant, 
First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1818;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  December  12,  1820; 
discharged  January  15,  1823. 

Jesse  Gay,  captain,  First  Regiment,  Seventh  Cavalry  ; 
July  i,  1781,  resigned. 

Daniel  Lynn,  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  April  15,  1823;  promoted  cap- 
tain as  a  resident  of  Roxbury,  May  3,  1836. 

Daniel  Mann,  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  6,  1806;  discharged 
March  i,  1810. 

Lorenzo  Mann,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  September  5,  1831  ;  promoted 
captain,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
April  15,  1833  ;  discharged  April  12,  1836. 


MILITARY   SERVICES  139 

Willard  Mann,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  15,  1826;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
August  20,  1827;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  September  5,  1831  ; 
discharged  December  15,  1832. 

Daniel  Morse,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  June  25,  1807  ;  promoted. 

Joseph  Mudy,  cornet,  Regiment  of  Horse,  First 
Division,  August  24,  1788. 

Ebenezer  Newell,  first  lieutenant,  Eighth  Cavalry, 
First  Regiment,  July  I,  1781. 

Josiah  Newell,  Jr.,  cornet,  cavalry  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division  ;  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  May  4,  1824  ;  promoted  lieutenant,  First 
Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  15, 
1826;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  August  20,  1827;  discharged 
May  30,  1831. 

Reuben  Newell,  captain,  Second  Regiment,  First 
Division,  March  16,  1789;  promoted  major,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  March  22,  1796. 

Lowell  Perry,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second  Bri- 
gade, First  Division,  July  31,  1815;  promoted  captain, 
First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  June  8, 
1818  ;  discharged  November  8,  1820. 

Asa  Richards,  second  lieutenant,  Eighth  Cavalry, 
First  Regiment,  July  I,  1781. 

Calvin  Richards,  cornet,  cavalry  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  May  26,  1810;  promoted  lieutenant, 
cavalry  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  April  13,  1812  ; 
discharged  April  12,  1815. 


140  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Calvin  Richards,  Jr.,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  August  20,  1827;  promoted 
lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First 
Division,  September  5,  1831  ;  discharged  December  1*5, 
1832. 

Luther  Richards,  cornet,  cavalry  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  May  2,  1815  ;  promoted  lieutenant,  cav- 
alry Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  7,  1816; 
promoted  captain,  cavalry  Second  Brigade,  First 
Division,  October  2,  1820;  discharged  June  27,  1821. 

Solomon  Richards,  second  lieutenant,  cavalry  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  September  24,  1793. 

William  Richards,  second  lieutenant,  Second  Cav- 
alry, First  Regiment,  July  i,  1781  ;  promoted  cornet, 
First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  June  25,  1822  ; 
promoted  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade, 
April  15,  1824;  discharged  June  23,  1826. 

Ralph  Sanger,  chaplain,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  April  i,  1818,  field  and  staff  ; 
discharged  May  30,  1833. 

Alexander  Soule,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  March  24,  1823  ;  promoted  lieu- 
tenant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  4,  1824;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  15,  1826;  dis- 
charged July  2,  1827. 

John  Shumway,  cornet,  cavalry  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  June  15,  1818  ;  promoted  lieutenant, 
cavalry  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  October  2, 
1820;  promoted  captain,  cavalry  Second  Brigade,  First 
Division,  June  25,  1822  ;  discharged  March  3,  1824. 

Lewis    Smith,    ensign,   First    Regiment,    Second    Bri- 


MILITARY   SERVICES  141 

gade,  First  Division,  September  26,  1803  ;  promoted 
lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First 
Division,  June  25,  1804;  promoted  captain,  First  Regi- 
ment, Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  May  6,  1806; 
discharged  February  10,  1810. 

Walter  Stowe,  ensign,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  5,  1812  ;  promoted  lieuten- 
ant, First  Regiment,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division, 
May  1 8,  1813;  promoted  captain,  First  Regiment, 
Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  July  31,  1815  ;  dis- 
charged December  22,  1819. 

Ebenezer  Sumner,  first  lieutenant,  Seventh  Cavalry, 
First  Regiment,  July  i,  1781. 

Billings  Tisdale,  lieutenant,  Eighth  Cavalry,  First 
Regiment,  February  4,  1787. 

Henry  Tisdale,  captain,  Second  Cavalry,  First  Regi- 
ment, September  18,  1788;  captain,  Regiment  of 
Horse,  Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  September  24, 

1/93- 

James  Tisdale,  lieutenant,  cavalry  Second  Brigade, 
First  Division,  May  26,  1810;  promoted  captain,  cav- 
alry Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  April  13,  1812; 
discharged  April  12,  1815. 

Jonathan  Upham,  lieutenant,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  May  26,  1810;  discharged 
March  6,  1813. 

John  Williams,  adjutant,  First  Regiment,  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division,  field  and  staff,  August  22, 
1804;  discharged  March  18,  1817. 

Amos  W.  Shumway,  private  in  Putnam  Grays  of 
Medfield  in  1839;  third  lieutenant,  1845;  first  lieuten- 
ant, 1846;  captain,  1847. 


142  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

John  Battelle,1  private,  Putnam  Grays,  1839;  second 
lieutenant,  1845  ;  captain,  1846. 

On  the  occasion  of  the  first  observance  of  Memorial 
Day,  May  30,  1868,  public  exercises  were  held  in  the 
cemetery,  consisting  of  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  George 
Proctor,  the  singing  of  patriotic  songs,  and  the  decora- 
tion of  soldiers'  graves.  After  this  time  the  custom 
lapsed  until  May,  1876,  when  the  Sunday-schools  of  the 
town  united  in  a  union  service  at  the  First  Parish 
church,  and  then  marched  to  the  cemetery,  where  the 
soldiers'  graves  were  decorated.  The  following  year 
public  exercises  were  held  on  Memorial  Day  at  the 
Unitarian  church,  with  addresses  by  citizens  and  the 
decoration  of  graves.  The  town  did  not  make  an  ap- 
propriation for  the  observance  of  Memorial  Day  until 
1888,  when  fifty  dollars  was  appropriated. 

Since  that  time  yearly  appropriations  have  been 
made,  and  an  elaborate  programme  presented,  with  pub- 
lic exercises  in  the  town  hall.  Appropriate  markers 
have  been  placed  on  the  graves  of  all  Union  soldiers 
and  to  some  extent  on  the  graves  of  soldiers  of  the 
Revolution. 

In  recent  years  a  part  of  the  town  appropriation  has 
been  expended  in  the  purchase  of  markers  ;  and  it  is  to 
be  hoped  that  the  work  will  be  continued  until  every 
soldier's  grave  shall  be  suitably  marked,  including  the 
soldiers  of  the  War  of  1812. 

1  Name  changed  from  liattle  to  I'.attelle  by  act  of  legislature  in  1821. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

THE    SECOND    MEETING-HOUSE. 

COMMITTEE  ON  NEW  MEETING-HOUSE  —  MEETING-HOUSE 
BURNED  —  SELECTION  OF  GROUNDS  —  EXCHANGE  OF 
LAND  —  MEETING-HOUSE  PATTERNED  AFTER  CHURCH  IN 
ROXBURY  —  DEDICATION  —  METHOD  OF  ASSESSING  PEWS 
—  RULES  FOR  SEATING  THE  MEETING-HOUSE. 

"  We  love  the  venerable  house 

Our  fathers  built  to  God: 
In  heaven  are  kept  their  grateful  vows, 
Their  dust  endears  the  sod. 

"  From  humble  tenements  around 

Came  up  the  pensive  train, 
And  in  the  church  a  blessing  found 
Which  filled  their  homes  again." 

The  thought  of  building  a  new  meeting-house  took 
shape  in  1809,  when  the  following  committee  was 
chosen  by  the  district  to  ascertain  the  probable  cost  of 
building  a  new  meeting-house :  Capt.  Samuel  Fisher, 
Aaron  Whiting,  Henry  Tisdale,  Josiah  Newell,  John 
Brown,  Josiah  Battle,  and  Simeon  Cheney.  This  proj- 
ect was  precipitated,  however,  by  the  burning  of  the 
old  meeting-house  early  in  February  of  the  next  year. 
There  had  been  a  divided  sentiment  in  the  parish  on 
the  subject.  As  the  minister  of  the  society  was  in 
feeble  health,  the  district  still  sparsely  populated,  and 
the  people  greatly  scattered,  the  friends  of  the  society 
in  neighboring  towns  looked  on  the  ruins  of  the  old 
meeting-house  with  great  anxiety,  and  feared  the  future 


144  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

of  the  church.  But  the  people  were  undaunted,  and  en- 
tered upon  the  building  of  a  larger  and  better  meeting- 
house with  enthusiasm.  A  more  desirable  spot  was 
wanted  for  the  building,  as  a  meeting-house  facing  the 
north  was  not  favorable  to  the  universal  custom  of  the 
times  in  which  the  men  congregated  before  the  service 
in  front  of  the  church  for  a  weekly  interchange  of  news 
and  a  discussion  of  crops  and  the  weather.  It  was  not 
until  the  end  of  the  first  prayer  that  the  men  ceased 
their  intercourse  outside  and  filed  into  their  pews. 
This  practice  was  not  for  want  of  reverence,  but  met 
the  peculiar  conditions  of  their  social  life. 

A  committee  consisting  of  Capt.  Samuel  Fisher, 
David  Cleveland,  James  Mann,  Jesse  Draper,  Capt. 
Josiah  Newell,  Hezekiah  Allen,  and  Ralph  Day  were 
authorized  to  select  a  site  for  the  new  meeting-house. 

The  committee  chose  the  present  grounds  of  the 
First  Parish,  which  contain  one  and  a  half  acres.  The 
report  of  the  committee  was  accepted  March  13,  1810; 
and  the  selectmen  were  empowered  by  the  district  to 
receive  the  deed  from  Jonathan  Upham,  from  whom 
the  land  was  purchased. 

In  the  exchange  of  land  Mr.  Upham  received  one 
hundred  dollars  in  addition  to  the  land  on  which  the 
first  meeting-house  stood.  He  also  agreed  to  furnish 
the  district  with  a  plan  for  a  new  meeting-house. 
Having  settled  without  difficulty  upon  the  site,  the 
people  were  ready  to  consider  plans  and  appropriations 
for  the  new  edifice.  A  great  increase  in  population 
and  wealth  had  been  the  dream  of  the  people  for  many 
years,  and  an  effort  was  made  to  build  a  meeting-house 
that  would  seat  a  large  congregation.  The  plans  pre- 


THE    SECOND    MEETING-HOUSE  145 

sented  by  Mr.  Upham  and  accepted  by  the  district 
seem  to  have  been  a  modification  of  the  plans  of  the 
meeting-house  of  the  First  Religious  Society  of  Rox- 
bury,  which  was  built  in  1804,  and  is  still  standing  in 
the  middle  of  Eliot  Square,  Roxbury.  The  district  did 
well  in  building  a  meeting-house  after  the  plan  of  the 
edifice  at  Roxbury,  as  it  is  one  of  the  most  commodi- 
ous and  beautiful  of  all  the  old  meeting-houses  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. It  is  a  tradition  that  Bulfinch,  the  archi- 
tect of  the  State  House,  had  something  to  do  with  the 
plans.  To-day  it  is  perhaps  the  best  specimen  of  a 
Puritan  meeting-house  remaining  in  New  England. 

For  the  Dover  meeting-house,  built  like  it,  the  dis- 
trict voted  to  employ  Capt.  Elias  Dunbar,  of  Roxbury, 
a  man  of  large  experience  in  building,  to  draw  up  the 
specifications  ;  and  the  selectmen  were  instructed  to  ad- 
vertise for  bids.  Six  proposals  were  received  from  con- 
tractors, ranging  from  five  thousand  four  hundred  and 
fifty  dollars  to  seven  thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars.  None  of  the  proposals  were  accepted,  and 
Captain  Dunbar  became  the  builder  of  the  meet  in  g- 
'  house.  Josiah  Newell,  Jesse  Draper,  and  Daniel  Mann 
had  a  general  supervision  of  the  work.  An  appropria- 
tion of  fifty-five  hundred  dollars  was  at  first  made, 
which  was  increased  by  a  grant  of  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars the  next  year. 

Like  all  public  enterprises,  the  work  at  first  went  on 
but  slowly.  In  July  they  were  ready  to  begin  the 
structure.  Public  exercises  were  held,  probably  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer,  of  Needham,  consist- 
ing of  a  prayer  and  the  singing  of  an  appropriate  psalm. 
After  the  building  was  raised,  the  displacement  of  a 


146  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

timber  caused  the  whole  frame  to  fall  to  the  ground. 
This  mishap  was  not  only  a  cause  of  anxiety  and 
trouble,  but  the  district  suffered  a  pecuniary  loss. 
Captain  Burridge,  who  was  working  on  the  building 
at  the  time,  received  injuries  from  which  he  suffered 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  This  accident,  however,  did 
not  long  delay  the  work,  which  went  on  rapidly  ;  and  in 
eleven  months  the  building  was  ready  to  dedicate. 

The  new  meeting-house  had  a  large  seating  capacity. 
There  were  galleries  on  both  sides,  also  in  front,  the 
latter  being  used  by  the  singers.  It  was  furnished  with 
the  conventional  high  pulpit  of  the  period,  of  which 
Daniel  Webster  said,  "  One  of  the  strongest  arguments 
for  the  truth  of  Christianity  was  that  it  had  survived 
the  box  pulpit."  The  underpinning  was  a  fine  piece  of 
masonry,  and  was  built  of  Ouincy  granite,  which  was 
transported  across  the  county  by  residents  of  the  par- 
ish. The  spire  was  furnished  with  a  bell,  which  was 
purchased  at  an  expense  of  four  hundred  dollars.  The 
new  meeting-house  was  a  stately  and  beautiful  building. 
Its  fine  proportions  were  thus  referred  to  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Noyes,  of  West  Needham, —  now  Wellesley, —  in 
his  introductory  remarks  at  its  dedication  :  "  It  is  with 
peculiar  emotions  of  joy  and  satisfaction  we  hail  this 
day,  which  presents  to  our  view  this  stately  edifice, 
which,  like  the  ancient  phoenix,  has  arisen  from  her 
ashes  into  beauty,  order,  and  elegance." 

The  imperfectness  of  church  architecture  in  the  last 
century  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  this  new  and  beautiful 
building,  erected  as  late  as  1811,  for  the  purpose  of 
public  worship,  had  no  means  of  heating,  and  the  con- 
gregation in  the  inclemency  of  a  New  England  winter 


SECOND    MEETING-HOUSE  147 

was  obliged  to  sit  for  hours  on  Sunday,  and  at  all  public 
meetings,  in  an  unwarmed  building. 

Of  course,  the  woman's  foot-stove  came  into  use  ;  but 
at  best  it  was  of  little  service.  So  tenacious  is  custom 
that  years  afterwards,  when  stoves  were  first  put  into 
the  meeting-house,  the  enterprise  met  with  such  strong 
opposition  that  they  were  removed,  and  did  not  have  a 
permanent  place  until  1824,  when  the  district  chose  a 
committee  "to  set  up  the  stoves  again."  The  new 
meeting-house  was  completed  and  ready  for  dedication 
in  the  early  summer,  but  the  thrifty  farmers  voted  in 
district-meeting  to  put  off  the  dedication  "  until  after 
hay -time." 

This  delay,  however,  did  not  meet  the  approval  of  the 
best  citizens;  and  another  district-meeting  was  called  by 
petition  for  June  6,  1811,  when  it  was  voted  "to  dedi- 
cate the  meeting-house  five  days  later."  A  committee 
of  five,  in  addition  to  the  selectmen,  were  chosen  to 
make  arrangements  for  the  dedication.  As  this  was  a 
district  affair,  it  was  an  occasion  of  great  importance, 
and  was  attended  by  a  large  number  of  people. 

The  public  exercises  were  arranged  in  accordance 
with  the  wishes  of  Mr.  Caryl,  the  venerable  minister  of 
the  society,  who  continued  in  such  feeble  health  that  he 
was  never  able  to  visit  the  new  meeting-house. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Prentiss,  of  Medfield,  made  the  prayer 
of  dedication  ;  while  the  Rev.  Stephen  Palmer,  of  Need- 
ham,  preached  an  eloquent  sermon  on  the  subject, 
"  The  glory  of  the  second  temple  greater  than  that  of 
the  first."  The  thought  was  taken  from  Haggai  ii.  9. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Mr.  Palmer  did  not  give  an 
historical  sermon,  as  the  records  of  the  church  (long 


148  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

since  destroyed)  and  those  of  the  parish  were  put  into 
his  hands.  The  exceeding  shortness  of  time  probably 
prevented  the  preparation  of  such  a  discourse.  Refer- 
ring to  the  noble  work  of  the  society  in  erecting  the 
meeting-house,  Mr.  Palmer  said  :  "  A  people  who  are 
wise  for  themselves,  who  regard  their  temporal  as  well 
as  spiritual  interests,  will  feel  the  importance  of  having 
public  worship  among  them  ;  and,  in  making  provisions 
for  it,  they  will  exercise  a  liberal  mind,  which  deviseth 
liberal  things.  They  will  be  ready  to  say  with  David, 
when  making  preparations  for  the  temple,  '  All  things 
come  of  thee,  and  of  thine  own  have  we  given  thee.' 
It  was  under  the  serious  influence  of  this  sentiment, 
we  trust,  that  members  of  this  society  acted  when  they 
began  to  erect  this  house."  The  exercises  of  dedication 
closed  with  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thacher,  of  West 
Dedham.  On  its  completion  the  ever-vexed  question 
of  seating  the  meeting-house  came  up  again,  and  it  was 
voted  to  seat  the  congregation  by  the  tax  each  individ- 
ual paid  ;  that  is,  after  a  pew  had  been  selected  for  the 
minister  by  vote  of  the  district,  the  person  who  paid  the 
highest  tax  had  the  first  choice.  The  first  pew  in  front 
of  the  pulpit,  as  one  of  dignity,  was  given  to  the  minis- 
ter for  his  family. 

Ninety-six  pews  were  assigned  in  the  new  meeting- 
house. Amid  these  square  box  pews  were  two  in  the 
upper  gallery  set  apart  for  the  colored  folks  of  the 
parish.  The  sides  of  these  two  pews  were  built  higher 
than  the  others,  and  served  to  screen  the  occupants. 

The  Dover  society  early  adopted  the  present  and 
popular  system  of  renting  pews.  A  strong  feeling  man- 
ifested itself  in  1823  in  favor  of  raising  the  money 


THE    SECOATD    MEETING-HOUSE  149 

necessary  for  the  support  of  public  religious  instruction 
either  by  assessing  in  just  proportion  annual  taxes  on 
the  pews  in  the  meeting-house  or  by  the  sale  of  the 
pews,  in  order  to  raise  a  permanent  fund. 

Aaron  Whiting  and  forty-six  others  petitioned  the 
General  Court  for  "  the  power  of  assessing  the  pews,  or 
leasing  the  same  from  time  to  time,  or  making  absolute 
sale  thereof,"  as  the  inhabitants  "may  deem  most  con- 
ducive to  the  permanent  enjoyment  of  public  religious 
instruction  and  the  general  interests  of  the  district." 

This  request  was  granted  by  the  General  Court, 
February  10,  1823  ;  and  at  the  annual  April  meeting 
the  district  chose  Capt.  Josiah  Newell,  Simeon  Cheney, 
Hezekiah  Allen,  Esq.,  Dea.  Ephraim  Wilson,  and  Jona- 
than Battle  a  committee  to  appraise  the  pews,  which 
were  divided  into  five  classes  in  the  body  of  the  church, 
and  a  tax  assessed  upon  the  same. 

The  amount  of  the  pew-tax  was  deducted  from  the 
annual  salary  tax  of  the  individuals  and  paid  into  the 
treasury  for  the  use  of  the  ministry.  The  inhabitants 
were  instructed  to  select  their  pews  within  ten  days 
after  the  ist  of  April,  and  were  required  to  give  a  note 
for  the  amount  of  their  pew-tax,  which  was  deposited 
with  the  treasurer  and  payable  on  the  first  day  of 
March,  with  interest  after  that  date. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

THE    SECOND    MINISTER. 

CALL  EXTENDED  TO  MR.  RALPH  S ANGER  —  LETTER  OF 
ACCEPTANCE  —  ORDINATION  —  EFFORTS  TO  LIBERALIZE 
THE  CHURCH  —  WORK  IN  BEHALF  OF  EDUCATION, 
AGRICULTURE,  TEMPERANCE,  RAILROAD  —  DEGREE  OF 
DOCTOR  OF  DIVINITY  —  RESIGNATION  —  DEATH  IN 
CAMBRIDGE. 

; 

A  theologian  from  the  school 
Of  Cambridge  on  the  Charles,  .  .  . 
Skilful  alike  with  tongue  and  pen, 
He  preached  to  all  men  everywhere 
The  gospel  of  the  Golden  Rule, 
The  new  commandment  given  to  men, 
Thinking  the  deed,  and  not  the  creed, 
Would  help  us  in  our  utmost  need. 

—  LONGFELLOW. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Caryl  no  active  efforts  were 
made  to  settle  a  minister  until  the  following  March, 
when  the  district  chose  Dea.  Jonathan  Battle,  Joseph 
Richards,  and  Josiah  Draper  a  committee  to  procure 
preaching.  In  the  engagement  of  candidates  the 
parish  instructed  the  committee  not  to  employ  a 
preacher  for  more  than  four  Sundays  in  succession. 
Mr.  Luther  Bailey,  who  was  afterwards  settled  in  East 
Medway,  now  Millis,  was  a  candidate,  and  at  one  time 
was  favorably  considered.  But  the  church  in  May, 
1812,  voted  to  extend  a  call  to  Mr.  Ralph  Sanger,  a 
tutor  in  Harvard  University.  The  district  voted  June 
2,  1812,  to  concur  with  the  church  in  its  choice  of  Mr. 
Sanger  as  "their  pastor  and  gospel  minister."  The 


THE    SECOND    MINISTER  151 

district  decided  to  offer  Mr.  Sanger  a  salary  of  five 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year,  also  the  use  and 
improvement  of  the  church  wood-lot.  The  need  of  a 
vacation  was  early  recognized,  and  it  was  voted  "  that 
Mr.  Sanger  have  liberty  to  be  absent  two  Sabbaths  in 
the  year  if  it  be  his  desire." 

He  was  descended  from  a  ministerial  family,  being  a 
son  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Zedekiah  Sanger,  a  distinguished 
minister  of  the  Second  Church,  Bridgewater,  Mass., 
and  also  from  the  first  Puritan  emigrant  of  the  name, 
Richard  Sanger,  who  settled  in  Hingham  in  1636. 

Mr.  Sanger  was  reared  in  an  atmosphere  calculated 
to  fit  him  especially  to  be  the  pastor  of  a  country 
church  with  all  its  varied  duties.  His  father  was 
"  highly  esteemed  for  his  ability  and  learning,  was 
revered  as  a  minister  and  sought  for  as  a  counsellor." 
He  was  a  noted  mathematician  and  an  excellent  classical 
scholar.  He  established  a  private  classical  school  in 
Bridgewater,  where  many  lads  who  in  after  life  became 
distinguished  men  were  fitted  for  college.  His  mother 
"  was  a  woman  of  rare  personal  and  social  qualities,  of 
great  intelligence,  wisdom,  and  refinement,  and  of  sin- 
cere and  pervading  but  unostentatious  piety." 

Amid  these  environments  Mr.  Sanger  passed  his 
early  years,  and  was  fitted  for  college  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  his  father  and  two  older  brothers  who  had 
already  graduated  from  Harvard.  He  entered  Harvard 
University  J  in  1804,  and  was  graduated  in  1808  with  the 
highest  honors  in  his  class.  He  was  a  tutor  in  Harvard 
in  mathematics  when  called  to  the  Dover  church.  He 

1  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  the  designation  "Harvard  University"  instead  of 
"Harvard  College"  properly  began  about  1780. 


I52  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

had  had  experience  in  common-school  teaching,  having 
taught  for  a  year  in  Concord,  Mass.  Mr.  Sanger  utilized 
this  knowledge  to  the  great  advantage  of  the  children  of 
the  town,  during  the  many  years  of  his  ministry  here,  in 
directing  the  course  of  public-school  education.  While 
in  Cambridge  he  studied  divinity  under  the  guidance  of 
his  father. 

Dover  was  at  this  time  a  town  of  about  five  hundred 
population.  Agriculture  was  the  chief  industry  of  the 
people,  and  the  farmers  were  intelligent  and  well-to-do. 
How  eminent  were  Mr.  Sanger's  qualifications  for  the 
office  of  a  country  pastor,  where  he  was  to  be  "  a  minis- 
ter, teacher,  counsellor,  companion,  and  friend  of  the 
whole  people  "  !  The  life  of  Mr.  Sanger  is  given  some- 
what fully,  because  he  was  in  a  peculiar  and  distinctive 
sense  the  minister  of  the  town  while  Church  and  State 
were  one. 

Mr.  Sanger  accepted  the  call  of  the  Dover  Parish  in 
the  following  letter  :  — 

To  THE  CHURCH  AND  SOCIETY  IN   DOVER: 

My  Christian  Friends:  —  .Since  I  received  an  expression  of 
your  wishes  as  contained  in  the  votes  of  the  church  and  society,  it 
has  been  my  earnest  endeavor  as  well  as  humble  prayer  to  take 
the  important  subject  into  serious  consideration.  I  have  consid- 
ered the  warm  affection  and  kind  attention  which  were  exercised 
and  displayed  toward  him  whose  labor  in  the  Lord  was  long  and 
precious  among  you,  and  whose  memory,  while  he  now  sleepeth 
with  the  fathers,  you  cherish  with  truly  filial  affection.  I  have 
consulted  my  friends,  and  have  not  the  happiness  to  say  that  their 
opinions  were  unanimous.  I  have  consulted  others,  also,  whose 
opinion  I  value,  and  found  them  far  from  being  united. 

While  my  mind  was  undergoing  a  conflict  from  these  varying 
opinions,  it  recurred  to  a  consideration  of  your  condition. —  to  a 


THE    SECOATD    MINISTER  153 

consideration  of  what  might  be  the  situation  of  your  affairs  in 
case  I  should  feel  myself  bound  to  non-concur  with  your  wishes. 
The  thought  was  painful.  It  has  not,  I  trust,  been  without  its 
weight  in  my  mind.  I  have  considered  also  your  proposals. 
The  form  of  a  part  of  them  now  meets  my  most  cordial  approba- 
tion ;  and,  should  it  so  happen  that  no  explicit  alterations  in  other 
parts  should  take  place,  permit  me  to  understand  and  expect  that 
I  may  not  materially  suffer  from  the  changes  which  await  all 
human  affairs, —  changes  which  no  prudence  can  foresee  nor  care 
avoid.  I  have  considered  also  your  tolerant  and  catholic  spirit ; 
your  charity  and  affection  for  the  pious  and  good  of  all  denomina- 
tions ;  your  sacred  regard  for  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  their  nature, 
simplicity,  and  purity,  without  human  addition  or  diminution.  In 
these  points  permit  me  to  say  that  your  sentiments  perfectly 
accord  with  my  own ;  and  it  is  my  earnest  wish,  as  well  as  devout 
prayer,  that,  while  I  shun  not  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God, 
"  I  may  never  teach  for  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men." 

From  these  considerations  and  under  these  expectations  I  am 
induced  to  say,  "  I  accept  your  invitation."  And  in  connection 
with  this  acceptance  I  tender  you,  for  all  your  past  attention,  my 
most  hearty  thanks,  confidently  trusting  that,  while  nothing  may 
in  future  be  wanting  on  my  part,  so  there  will  be  no  less  dis- 
position on  yours  to  continue  them.  And.  although  our  situation, 
my  friends,  may  not  be  the  most  conspicuous,  although  we  may 
not  enjoy  the  stare  and  glare  of  the  world,  still  let  us  do  all  in  our 
power  to  enjoy  what  is  infinitely  superior. —  the  cordial  love  and 
mutual  kind  attention  of  each  other.  Still  may  we  enjoy  the 
delightful  satisfaction  of  promoting  each  other's  happiness.  And, 
above  all,  may  we  enjoy  the  approbation  of  our  own  minds  and 
the  serenity  of  a  pious  hope,  a  hope  of  obtaining  His  favor 
'•whose  favor  is  life,  and  whose  loving-kindness  is  better  than 
life/' 

Finally,  my  brethren,  be  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power 
of  his  might,  praying  always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in 
the  Spirit,  and  for  me  that  I  may  open  my  mouth  boldly  to  make 
known  the  mystery  of  the  gospel  for  which  I  am  an  ambassador. 

And  thus  by  our  mutual  prayers,  our  kind  affections,  and  our 
good  offices  to  each  other,  by  our  uninterrupted  and  increasing 


154  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

friendship  here,  may  we  be  prepared  for  the  enjoyment  of  that 
friendship  which  death  cannot  destroy,  which  eternity  cannot 
impair. 

Thus  prays  your  sincere  and  humble  servant, 


CAMBRIDGE,  July  3,  1812. 

Early  in  the  following  month  the  district  voted  to 
ordain  Mr.  Sanger  on  Wednesday,  September  16.  An 
ordination  in  those  days  was  of  no  common  occurrence ; 
and  a  committee,  consisting  of  James  Mann,  David 
Cleveland,  Joseph  Richards,  Caleb  Wight,  and  Silas 
Bacon,  were  chosen  to  make  arrangements  for  enter- 
taining the  council,  which  was  to  include  no  less  a 
personage  than  the  president  of  Harvard  University. 
Other  distinguished  clergymen  were  also  expected.  An 
elaborate  collation  was  provided  at  the  Williams  Tavern. 

The  council  met  at  the  house  of  Dr.  George  Caryl 
at  nine  o'clock  A.M.  The  Rev.  Joseph  Haven,  of  Ded- 
ham,  was  chosen  moderator ;  the  Rev.  Morrell  Allen,  of 
Pembroke,  scribe.  The  examination  of  the  candidate 
was  very  satisfactory ;  and  they  proceeded  to  the  ordina- 
tion, parts  having  been  assigned  as  follows  :  — 

Introductory  prayer,  the  Rev.  James  Flint;  sermon,  the  Rev. 
Zedekiah  Sanger,  D.D.,  subject,  "The  Christian  Minister  an  Am- 
bassador of  Christ,"  and  as  text  the  words :  "  My  son,  be  strong 
in  the  grace  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Endure  hardness  as  a  good 
soldier  of  Jesus  Christ";  ordaining  prayer,  the  Rev.  John  T. 
Kirkland,  D.D.,  president  of  Harvard  College:  charge,  the  Rev. 
George  Morey :  right  hand  of  fellowship,  the  Rev.  Stephen 
Palmer;  concluding  prayer,  the  Rev.  Henry  Ware.  D.D. 


THE    SECOND    MINISTER  155 

The  audience  was  large,  and  the  music  was  unusually 
fine.  It  was  conducted  by  Dr.  Lowell  Mason,  of  Med- 
field,  whose  devotion  to  the  improvement  of  church 
music  as  a  life  work  is  well  known.  Dr.  Mason  com- 
posed one  of  the  tunes  for  this  occasion.  The  choir 
consisted  of  trained  singers  whom  Dr.  Mason  brought 
with  him  from  Medfield. 

Mr.  Sanger,  in  his  thirtieth  anniversary  sermon,  thus 
speaks  of  his  ordination  :  — 

An  ordination  thirty  years  ago  was  by  no  means  a  common 
occurrence.  As  it  was  a  rare,  so  it  was  deemed  an  important, 
event.  It  was  considered  a  solemn  public  sanction  of  ties  sacred, 
binding,  lasting  as  life  itself.  There  had  not  been  an  ordina- 
tion in  this  place  for  nearly  fifty  years.  Nor  had  there  been 
more  than  one  or  two  in  the  immediate  vicinity  for  many  years 
preceding.  A  large  ecclesiastical  council  was  invited.  Liberal 
invitations  were  seasonably  and  widely  extended  to  all  the  neigh- 
boring and  even  some  more  distant  towns. 

No  small  expectations  were  excited.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
day  preceding  the  ordination,  arrived  the  most  distant  members 
of  the  council  with  their  delegates,  and  as  many  of  their  families 
as  they  could  conveniently  bring.  On  the  morning  the  sun  rose 
in  a  cloudless  sky,  the  harbinger  of  a  bright  autumnal  day. 
Soon  were  seen  the  guests  arriving  in  all  parts  of  the  town. 

The  council  assembled  early  in  the  day,  transacted  in  union 
and  peace  its  business,  repaired  in  the  forenoon  to  the  church, 
where  a  large  multitude  had  convened,  and  there  attended  with 
order  and  propriety  to  the  solemnities  and  services  usual  on  such 
occasions. 

The  remainder  of  the  day  was  spent  in  social  intercourse  and 
in  partaking  of  the  entertainment  which  had  been  most  liberally 
provided.  And  not  one,  it  is  believed,  of  the  large  number  assem- 
bled on  that  occasion  was  permitted  to  leave  town  without  having 
first  been  a  partaker  of  the  hospitality  generously  furnished  on 
that  day. 


156  HISTORY    OF   DOTER 

Mr.  Sanger  immediately  became  the  pastor  of  the 
whole  people,  and  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century 
was  the  only  minister  in  town.  He  liberalized  the 
church,  and  the  next  year  after  his  settlement  it  was 
voted  "to  make  the  Scripture  our  only  guide  in  the 
admission  of  members  to  this  church."  All  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  were  with  their  pastor  in  taking  this 
advanced  step,  and  all  continued  to  work  in  love  and 
harmony. 

While  faithful  in  all  the  offices  of  the  church,  Mr. 
Sanger  was  also  interested  in  whatever  pertained  to  the 
moral,  intellectual,  and  material  welfare  of  his  people. 
Soon  after  his  settlement  he  commenced  the  work  of 
fitting  young  men  for  college.  He  had  for  students  not 
only  the  boys  of  Dover  and  surrounding  towns,  but 
others  from  abroad.  He  continued  this  work  for  many 
years,  and  thus  kept  in  touch  with  the  great  work  of 
education. 

The  cause  of  common-school  education  enlisted  his 
sympathy,  and  he  labored  to  build  on  broad  foundations 
and  to  arouse  among  the  people  a  lively  interest  in  the 
subject.  For  more  than  forty  years  Mr.  Sanger  labored 
in  this  town  in  the  cause  of  public-school  education, 
always  making  prominent  the  elements  of  useful  knowl- 
edge and  giving  such  training  as  would  enable  the 
pupils  to  carry  on  the  work  of  education  still  further, 
and  become  intelligent,  well-informed  members  of 
society,  who  would  be  enabled  "  to  read,  study,  examine, 
judge,  decide,  and  act  for  themselves  in  all  the  impor- 
tant affairs  of  life."  He  looked  to  the  instruction,  and 
labored  to  improve  the  schools  through  the  employment 
of  better  trained  and  educated  teachers. 


THE   SECOND   MINISTER  157 

He  gave  much  time  to  the  examination  of  candidates 
for  the  teacher's  profession,  and  was  instrumental  in 
the  introduction  of  the  best  approved  text-books.  Mr. 
Sanger  attended  many  educational  meetings  at  home 
and  abroad  held  to  raise  the  standard  of  common-school 
education.  Through  his  efforts  Dover  was  placed  in 
the  front  rank  in  its  appropriations  for  the  support  of 
public  schools  in  Massachusetts.  During  the  time  of 
his  administration  the  appropriation  for  the  support 
of  schools  was  increased  a  hundred  fold.  Highly 
prizing  the  common  school  as  an  institution,  he  labored 
to  perfect  and  increase  its  efficiency,  that  the  commu- 
nity might  gain  that  intelligence  which  is  conducive  to 
the  happiness  of  men  and  women. 

He  was  an  active  leader  in  the  organization  of  the 
Massachusetts  State  Board  of  Education,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  legislature  which  created  it,  and  greatly 
rejoiced  in  its  work.  He  recognized  the  importance  of 
professional  training,  and  labored  for  the  establishment 
of  State  normal  schools.  It  was  a  matter  of  pride  to 
him  that  a  normal  school  was  located  at  Bridgewater, 
the  home  of  his  youth. 

Whatever  interested  his  people  enlisted  his  sympathy. 
As  the  community  was  much  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits,  Mr.  Sanger  became  extremely  interested  in 
the  subject.  He  believed  an  advantage  would  accrue  in 
the  founding  of  an  agricultural  college,  and  labored 
earnestly  for  its  establishment.  His  wisdom  has  been 
confirmed,  and  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the  Massa- 
chusetts Agricultural  College  is  the  most  popular  of  all 
with  the  young  men  of  this  town. 

He  was  vice-president   of   the    Norfolk    Agricultural 


158  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Society  and  for  some  years  chairman  of  the  committee 
on  farms.  He  took  a  deep  interest  in  this  department  ; 
for  he  believed  "  that  improvement  in  agriculture  tends 
to  improvement  in  morals  and  religion  ;  that  the  better 
men  are  fed  and  clothed  and  housed,  the  more  con- 
tented, virtuous,  and  happy  they  will  ordinarily  be ;  so 
that  improvement  in  this  pursuit  tends  to  promote  ulti- 
mately the  highest  interest  of  man." 

During  the  first  forty  years  of  his  residence  here  he 
made  more  than  eight  hundred  visits  to  the  schools, 
giving  much  attention  to  public  examinations,  and  by 
the  word  fitly  spoken  helped  many  a  timid  child  to 
efforts  of  self-control. 

Mr.  Sanger  early  saw  the  importance  of  supplement- 
ing the  common  school  by  the  establishment  of  a  public 
library.  After  his  marriage,  in  1817,  he  kept  a  circulat- 
ing library  at  his  house,  and  for  many  years  was  the 
librarian.  He  selected  the  books  with  great  care,  and 
the  list  included  many  works  of  standard  merit  in  his- 
tory, biography,  and  fiction.  In  1842  the  library  con- 
sisted of  seven  hundred  volumes.  This  library  had  a 
wide  and  lasting  influence  on  the  community,  and  its 
influence  is  felt  to-day  in  the  lives  of  the  second  genera- 
tion of  readers.  Later,  school  libraries  were  established 
in  each  school  district.  In  the  beloved  work  of  educa- 
tion the  lyceum  was  introduced  by  Mr.  Sanger ;  and 
from  the  platform  Henry  Wilson,  John  11  Gough,  and 
other  prominent  men  instructed  the  people. 

At  the  time  of  his  settlement  the  drink  habit  was 
strong  among  the  people.  Liquor  was  plentiful  and 
cheap.  The  number  who  were  strictly  temperate  was 
very  small.  Well-filled  decanters  were  found  in  every 


THE  SECOND   MINISTER  159 

house,  and  imbibing  was  frequent.  The  farmer  took 
his  "bitters"  before  breakfast,  his  "eleven  o'clock" 
before  dinner,  and  his  "four  o'clock"  before  supper, 
and  several  mugs  of  toddy  before  bedtime.  A  liberal 
supply  of  intoxicating  drinks  was  furnished  on  all  occa- 
sions, and  was  considered  an  important  part  of  hospi- 
tality in  friendly  visits.  Even  the  laborers  in  the  field 
were  given  a  daily  allowance  of  liquor.  When,  in  1762, 
the  parish  voted  to  thank  John  Battle  for  generously 
entertaining  the  council  at  the  ordination  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Caryl,  the  liquor  furnished  was  no  small  part  of 
Mr.  Battle's  expense. 

New  England  rum  was  "  on  tap  "  in  every  grocery- 
store ;  and  much  of  the  poverty,  crime,  and  pauperism 
of  the  time  is  traceable  to  this  habit.  Cider  and  New 
England  rum,  distilled  from  molasses,  were  the  favorite 
drinks.  Through  this  habit  "  sons  of  honored  sires " 
became  drunkards,  and  ancestral  acres  fell  into 
strangers'  hands. 

While  ministers  \vere  accustomed  to  use  intoxicating 
drinks,  they  were  among  the  first  to  recognize  its  evils 
and  to  take  steps  to  correct  the  habit.  Mr.  Sanger  was 
early  convinced  that  the  drink  habit  was  a  great  detri- 
ment to  his  people,  and  became  a  member,  in  the  year 
of  its  organization,  of  the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the 
Suppression  of  Intemperance,  which  was  organized  at 
a  meeting  held  at  the  State  House  in  Boston,  February 
5,  1813.  It  may  be  true,  as  has  been  charged,  that 
this  society  did  little  beyond  observing  its  anniversary 
and  the  preaching  of  a  sermon,  after  which  preachers 
and  hearers  would  retire  to  tables  richly  laden  with 
wines  for  their  refreshment  and  entertainment ;  but, 


160  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

even  so,  it  was  not  true  of  Mr.  Sanger.  He  became  a 
total  abstainer  from  the  start,  and  also  refused  to  give 
liquor  to  those  in  his  employ,  as  was  the  universal  cus- 
tom. He  lived  to  see  a  wonderful  work  accomplished 
in  this  reform,  as  the  evils  of  intemperance  prevailed 
to  an  alarming  extent.  Mr.  Sanger  thus  spoke  of  the 
result  of  the  work  :  — 

It  has  produced  a  great  change  in  the  customs  and  habits  of 
society.  It  has  made  multitudes  sober  and  temperate,  industri- 
ous and  useful.  Into  many  houses  which  were  once  the  abodes 
of  want  and  wretchedness  and  woe  it  has  brought  plenty,  com- 
fort, and  joy.  The  hearts  of  many  wives  and  many  children  will 
forever  bless  God  for  the  unspeakable  good  which  they  have 
received  through  the  temperance  cause. 

As  early  as  1830  the  construction  of  railroads  had 
become  quite  common  in  Massachusetts.  About  this 
time  the  "  Air  Line "  route  between  Boston  and  New 
York  was  surveyed  to  run  through  Dover.  Believing 
it  would  add  greatly  to  the  prosperity  of  the  town,  Mr. 
Sanger  labored  earnestly  for  the  gaining  of  a  charter. 
Rufus  Choate  was  counsel  for  the  opposition.  At  one 
of  the  hearings  Mr.  Choate  tried  to  draw  Mr.  Sanger 
out  on  the  subject  of  the  population  of  Dover  ;  but  to 
all  his  questions  he  replied,  "  Not  very  numerous,  Mr. 
Choate,  not  very  numerous."  In  his  address  to  the 
committee  Mr.  Choate  referred  to  Dover  "  with  its 
millions  of  population  still  unborn." 

To  aid  in  gaining  a  railroad  charter,  Mr.  Sanger  was 
elected  to  the  General  Court  in  1837,  and  in  subse- 
quent years  several  times  returned.  In  1838  he  was 
elected  chaplain  of  the  Massachusetts  Senate.  In  1853 


THE  SECOND   MINISTER  161 

he  was  chosen  an  agent  of  the  town  to  aid  in  gaining 
from  the  legislature  the  extension  of  the  Charles  River 
railroad  to  Dover.  As  a  member  of  the  General  Court 
he  served  upon  the  committees  on  education,  public 
charitable  institutions,  and  prisons  ;  and,  although  quiet 
and  unassuming,  he  exerted  a  powerful  influence  and 
was  highly  esteemed  by  his  fellow-members. 

Mr.  Sanger's  settlement  in  1812  was  at  a  stormy 
period  in  American  history.  He  was  a  strong  Federal- 
ist, while  the  prevailing  sentiment  was  anti-Federalist. 
In  a  short  time  there  developed  in  the  district  a  strong 
sentiment  against  him,  which  was  purely,  political  and 
had  no  theological  significance.  The  difficulty  arose  in 
a  misunderstanding  and  misconstruction  of  Mr.  Sanger's 
language  on  the  part  of  Joseph  Richards,  who  claimed 
that  Mr.  Sanger  intimated  before  his  call  to  the  district 
that  he  would  not  exercise  the  right  of  suffrage.  At 
this  time  ministers  often  refrained  from  voting.  The 
Rev.  Morrill  Allen,  a  native  of  Dover,  who  was  settled 
at  Pembroke,  Mass.,  in  1801,  never  attended  a  town 
meeting  or  voted,  until  dismissed  from  his  pastorate. 
In  1816  Draper  Smith  and  others  petitioned  the  district 
for  the  removal  of  Mr.  Sanger,  and  a  committee  was 
chosen  to  wait  upon  him  and  ascertain  upon  what  terms 
he  would  retire. 

It  is  related  that  when  the  committee  called  he  was 
engaged  in  washing  his  chaise,  and  anticipating  their 
errand  he  said  :  "  Good-morning,  gentlemen.  I  under- 
stand you  desire  me  to  leave  town,  so  I  thought  I  would 
have  a  clean  chaise  in  which  to  ride  out."  His  ex- 
treme politeness  and  good  nature  exceedingly  embar- 
rassed the  committee. 


162  HISTORY    OF    DOVKK 

Mr.  Sanger  addressed  the  following  significant  letter 
to  the  society,  which  was  read  in  district-meeting :  — 

To  THE    RELKJIOTS   SOCIETY    OF   WHICH  THE  SUBSCRIBER  is 

PASTOR : 

My  Christian  Friends  : — Your  committee,  consisting  of  Capt. 
Hezekiah  Battle.  Messrs.  Josiah  Draper,  and  John  Brown, 
appointed  by  a  vote  of  the  society  on  the  4th  inst..  waited 
upon  me  on  the  Qth  of  the  present  month,  stating  that  they  were 
directed  to  inquire  of  me  upon  what  terms  I  would  consent  that 
my  pastoral  relations  with  their  society  should  be  dissolved. 
I  inquired  of  the  committee  whether  they  were  instructed  to 
acquaint  me  with  the  reasons  why  such  a  dissolution  was 
requested.  1  replied  that,  when  difficulties  existed,  it  appeared 
highly  proper  that  they  should  be  distinctly  stated,  that  then,  if 
possible,  they  might  be  amicably  adjusted.  Although  the  com- 
mittee stated  what  they  considered  to  be  some  of  the  difficulties, 
yet  they  did  not  feel  themselves  authorized  to  state  them  by 
virtue  of  power  received  from  the  society.  I  remarked  to  the  gen- 
tlemen of  the  committee  that,  in  case  the  society  should  desire 
to  have  a  mutual  ecclesiastical  council.  I  would  join  the  church 
most  heartily  in  calling  one.  I  do  now  repeat  this  assurance  to 
the  whole  society.  I  will  afford  my  most  prompt  exertions  to  have 
a  mutual  council,  with  this  provision,  however, —  that  a  written 
communication  or  specific  statement  of  all  the  articles  of  charge 
and  complaint  be  made  to  me  prior  to  its  appointment.  Wishing 
that  grace,  mercy,  and  peace  may  be  multiplied  unto  you.  1  sub- 
scribe myself  your  friend  and  pastor. 


NOVEMKKR    IS,   lSl(). 

This  episode  illustrates  his  tact  and  sense  of  humor. 
As  there  was  no  dissatisfaction  in  the  church  and  no 
reason  for  calling  an  ecclesiastical  council,  the  whole 


THE    SECOND    MINISTER  163 

matter  was  dismissed  by  the  district  and  never  again 
brought  up. 

We  believe  there  was  one  feature  of  this  controversy 
which  was  among  the  pleasantest  recollections  of  Mr. 
Sanger's  life.  During  this  time  of  strong  excitement 
many  members  of  the  society  expressed  to  him  under 
their  signatures  assurance  of  their  attachment  and  satis- 
faction with  his  ministry,  and  a  strong  desire  to  have  it 
continued.  They  also  pledged  themselves  to  a  full  and 
punctual  payment  of  his  salary.  More  than  a  quarter  of 
a  century  afterwards  Mr.  Sanger  bears  testimony  to  the 
fact  that  not  one  member  ever  failed  to  fulfil  his  pledge. 

During  Mr.  Sanger's  pastorate  the  Church  and  State 
were  entirely  separated,  and  the  parish  became  an  inde- 
pendent organization,  holding  all  the  church  property. 
Mr.  Sanger  belonged  to  the  liberal  wing  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church  ;  but  so  great  was  his  respect  for  the 
opinions  of  others  that  all  who  were  members  of  the 
Congregational  Association  of  Ministers  when  he  joined 
in  1812  continued  to  fellowship  and  exchange  pulpits 
with  him,  although  some  were  what  are  now  called 
"  Orthodox." 

There  were  conservative  people  in  his  church,  some 
of  whom  did  not  agree  with  him  in  all  his  teachings,  yet 
they  so  loved  and  revered  him  that  they  lived  and  died 
as  members  of  his  church.  He  held  and  carried  the 
whole  church  with  him  ;  and,  although  an  Evangelical 
Congregational  Church  was  organized  before  the  close  of 
his  ministry,  only  two  members  of  the  First  Parish 
Church  have  withdrawn  to  join  this  organization. 

In  the  forty-six  years  of  Mr.  Sanger's  active  ministry 
ninety-eight  persons  united  with  the  church,  one  hun- 


164  HISTORY    OF    DOTEK 

dred  and  ninety-three  were  baptized,  and  there  were 
one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  marriages  and  three  hundred 
and  fourteen  deaths  in  the  parish. 

Mr.  Sanger  was  eminently  a  peacemaker,  and  ever 
tried  to  heal  dissensions  and  quiet  disputes.  He  ends 
the  record  of  a  church  meeting  where  he  had  brought 
charges  against  an  erring  brother  with  this  benediction  : 
May  the  God  of  peace  dispose  our  hearts  to  peace,  and 
may  we  live  in  peace  one  with  another. 

In  the  stormy  days  of  1816,  when  sorely  tried  by 
political  opponents,  he  threatened  to  bring  a  suit  in  law 
if  his  life  was  spared.  After  the  storm  had  blown  over, 
failing  to  execute  his  threat,  some  of  the  people  asked 
him  how  he  justified  such  failure.  He  replied,  "  A  bad 
promise  is  better  broken  than  kept." 

Mr.  Sanger  was  ever  true  to  his  alma  mater  ;  and,  in 
the  forty-seven  years  of  his  life  after  graduation,  he 
missed  the  exercises  of  Commencement  only  on  one 
occasion.  In  1857  Harvard  University  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity. 

The  house  which  Mr.  Sanger  built  in  1817  and  to 
which  he  brought  his  young  bride  —  the  house  in  which 
his  six  children  were  born,  the  home  which  had  been 
for  nearly  half  a  century  the  center  of  every  domestic 
virtue,  of  every  elevating  influence  —  was  destroyed  by 
fire  on  the  morning  of  July  8,  1857. 

Dr.  Sanger  remained  for  two  months  in  the  family  of 
Mr.  Benjamin  Newell  ;  but,  feeling  the  weight  of  years, 
he  did  not  rebuild,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  took 
up  his  residence  with  his  family  in  the  house  of  his 
son-in-law,  Mr.  William  Gannett,  in  Cambridge,  Mass., 
where  on  the  6th  of  May,  1860,  he  peacefully  passed 


THE   SECOND   MINISTER  165 

away.      The  morning   following   his   death    the   Boston 
Daily  Advertiser  thus  spoke  of  him  :  — 

Although  firm  in  his  religious  sentiments  as  a  Unitarian,  he 
was  charitable  to  all:  and  every  one.  of  whatever  denomination, 
esteemed  him  as  a  man  of  honest  and  sincere  purpose,  whose  aim 
was  to  do  good  and  to  be  good.  Dr.  Sanger  was  extensively 
known  and  universally  respected  for  his  mild,  amiable  disposition 
and  his  spotless  integrity.  We  believe  it  may  be  truly  said  he 
was  without  an  enemy.  He  labored  with  great  fidelity  and  in 
perfect  harmony  with  the  people  of  his  charge  until  his  death,  a 
period  of  forty-seven  years  and  seven  months. 

In  a  notice  of  his  death  a  friend  writes  in  the  Chris- 
tian Register :  — 

Dr.  Sanger  had  a  heart  that  held  in  its  affection  the  true,  the 
good,  and  the  faithful  of  every  communion.  He  believed  that  the 
spiritualities  of  the  gospel  flowed  out  upon  all  and  sanctified  all. 
however  separated  by  diversities  of  form  and  utterance,  who 
received  and  obeyed  it  as  a  Heaven-sent  and  life-giving  messenger 
of  truth  and  grace. 

He  worshipped  God  the  Father,  and  sought  spiritual  commun- 
ion with  him  as  the  highest  object  of  his  homage,  his  trust,  and 
his  love.  He  honored  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  as  the  repre- 
sentation of  the  divine  mind,  as  a  messenger  —  and  a  blessed 
messenger  —  of  peace,  and  power,  and  life  to  a  world  that  needed 
his  Heaven-sent  benefaction.  He  believed,  and  rejoiced  in  believ- 
ing, that  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  Spirit  of  God.  in  its  gracious  influence 
to  the  soul  that  prayed  for  it,  would  be  imparted  in  all-sufficient 
measure.  To  the  interests  of  the  farmer  and  to  all  industrial 
avocations  that  concerned  the  well-being  and  happiness  of  com- 
munities he  gave  his  hearty  encouragement  and  support.  He 
felt  that  he  was  doing  honor  to  himself  when  his  time  and  talent 
were  employed  in  behalf  of  the  social,  literary,  and  religious 
interest  of  his  fellow-men.  He  was  in  sympathy  with  all  his 
fellow-men.  Were  they  happy,  he  was  happy.  Were  they  in 


i  66  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

sorrow,  he  was  not  insensible  to  their  affliction.  His  ever-ready 
smile  and  friendly  hand»betokened  the  principles  of  life  and  con- 
duct that  he  cherished. 

Dr.  Sanger,  in  his  learning,  in  his  native  wit,  in  his 
urbanity,  in  his  devotion  to  the  best  interests  of  human- 
ity, in  his  labors  for  social  elevation,  in  his  fidelity  to 
the  church,  in  his  helpfulness  in  the  home,  was  a  fine 
example  of  the  old-time  country  minister.  Dr.  Sanger 
attended  with  great  punctuality  the  Anniversary  Meeting 
held  in  Boston  during  the  last  days  of  May.  Here  he 
drew  in  much  inspiration  from  the  public  exercises  and 
in  intercourse  with  his  fellow-ministers  at  home  and 
abroad. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Association,  of  which  Dr. 
Sanger  was  a  member,  held  in  Boston  on  the  twenty- 
ninth  clay  of  May,  1860,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Miles  thus  spoke 
of  him  :  — 

It  seems  as  if  we  must  meet  him  now,  with  his  pleasant  smile 
and  hearty  greeting  and  ready  anecdote.  Descended  from  a  min- 
isterial family  and  heartily  loving  the  ministerial  profession,  per- 
haps he  was  the  best  representative  among  us  of  the  old-fashioned 
New  England  minister.  Modern  improvements  may  yield  more 
learning  and  more  eloquence,  but  fraternity,  companionship,  re- 
quire other  things  besides  learning  and  eloquence ;  and  who  of  us, 
as  his  image  now  passes  before  our  minds,  does  not  wish  we  had 
more  like  him  in  his  urbanity  and  kindness  and  demonstrative- 
ness  of  interest  and  affection  welling  up  from  a  warm  and  loving 
heart  ? 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

ECCLESIASTICAL   HISTORY. 

THE  THIRD  MINISTER — ORDINATION  OF  EDWARD  BARKER, 
THE  REV.  GEORGE  PROCTOR,  THE  REV.  C.  S.  LOCKE, 
THE  REV.  EUGENE  DE  NORMANDIE,  THE  REV.  G.  H. 
BADGER,  THE  REV.  OBED  ELDRIDGE,  THE  REV.  P.  S. 
THACHER  —  FIRST  SUNDAY-SCHOOL  —  PARISH  LIBRARY  — 
CHRISTMAS  CELEBRATION  —  LADIES'  BENEVOLENT  SO- 
CIETY —  CHURCH  DECORATION  —  EASTER. 

O  them  to  whom  m  ancient  time 

The  lyre  of  prophet-bards  was  strung ! 

To  thee,  at  last,  in  every  clime, 

Shall  temple  rise  and  praise  be  sung. 

JOHN    PlEKI'ONT. 

At  the  time  of  the  settlement  of  the  third  minister,  in 
1858,  we  may  note  the  changes  that  had  taken  place  in 
the  religious  thought  and  customs  of  the  parish  since  its 
organization  in  1749.  A  century  before,  on  a  Sunday 
morning,  the  men  and  boys  would  have  been  seen 
coming  on  foot  from  all  directions  to  the  common 
meeting-place.  The  women  and  girls,  mounted  on 
horseback,  arrived  a  little  later,  and  dismounted  at  the 
horse-block,  which  had  been  placed  near  at  hand. 

Inside  the  meeting-house  the  congregation  gathered 
in  an  unheated  room  with  bare  walls,  uncushioned  seats, 
and  an  uncarpeted  floor.  In  summer-time  the  stillness 
was  broken  by  the  neighing  of  horses  tied  to  trees, 
as  no  horse-sheds  had  been  built  for  their  protection. 


1 68  HISTORY    Of-'   DOVER 

The  song  of  birds  was  heard  without,  while  the  congre- 
gation within  united,  without  the  aid  of  an  organ,  to 

••  Chant  their  artless  notes  in  simple  guise." 

The  long  sermon  was  usually  doctrinal,  and  fre- 
quently dwelt  upon  infant  damnation  and  perdition.  It 
had  no  word  of  the  fatherhood  of  God  and  the  brother- 
hood of  man.  At  noon  the  little  congregation  dispersed 
to  the  "noon  house,"  where  friendly  greetings  were 
exchanged  ;  and  after  a  hasty  lunch  the  men  slipped 
round  to  the  "tap  room"  of  the  tavern,  where  over  a 
mug  of  flip  they  discussed  the  weather  and  their  crops. 

The  third  minister  was  invited  to  a  church  of 
approved  architecture.  The  congregation  arrived  in 
their  own  carriages  at  the  tolling  of  the  bell,  which  had 
been  rung  an  hour  and  a  half  earlier,  inviting  them  to 
worship.  The  horses  were  cared  for  in  a  long  row  of 
sheds,  which  had  been  provided  for  them  in  the  rear 
of  the  church.  Within,  the  congregation  was  seated 
in  comfortably  cushioned  pews.  The  building  was  well 
heated  in  winter  ;  and  in  summer,  by  means  of  large 
windows  and  closed  blinds,  the  atmosphere  was  tem- 
pered to  the  needs  of  the  congregation.  The  services 
began  with  the  reading  of  a  hymn  ;  and,  helped  by  the 
choir  and  the  organ, 

••They  tuned  their  hearts, —  by  far  the  noblest  aim." 

And  the  preacher's  voice,  which  had  been  heard  there 
for  nearly  a  half  century,  had  led  them  out  of  theology 
into  religion,  and  had  built  a  more  glorious  church. 
That  voice  had  never  tired  of  telling  of  the  loving- 
kindness  and  tender  mercy  of  the  great  Father  of  us  all. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  169 

In  the  lapse  of  time  customs  had  changed.  For 
many  years  marriage  notices  were  "  cried "  by  the 
town  clerk,  who,  before  the  assembled  congregation,  an- 
nounced the  names  of  the  contracting  parties.  These 
notices  were  given  three  Sundays  in  succession  before 
the  marriage  ceremony. 

After  a  death  near  relatives  sent  a  "  note  to  the 
minister,"  which  was  read  from  the  pulpit,  asking  the 
prayers  of  the  congregation. 

In  the  early  years  of  his  ministry,  after  pronouncing 
the  benediction,  Mr.  Sanger  left  the  pulpit,  and,  giving 
his  arm  to  Mrs.  Sanger,  they  walked  down  the  aisle, 
bowing  to  the  congregation  as  they  passed,  who  re- 
mained standing  until  the  minister  and  his  wife  had  left 
the  church. 

The  congregation  then  dispersed,  those  from  the 
seats  of  "  dignity  "  passing  out  first,  while  the  "  common 
people  "  were  the  last  to  leave  their  pews. 

The  ever-officious  tithing-man,  who  looked  so  zeal- 
ously after  the  church  attendance  and  the  congregation 
while  assembled,  had  passed  away,  to  the  great  satisfac- 
tion of  the  people  and  the  relief  and  delight  of  the  boys. 

The  English  custom  of  bell-ringing,  which  was  so 
common  in  surrounding  towns,  never  obtained  here, 
except  "  the  pealing  bell  to  announce  that  some  mortal 
had  put  on  immortality."  The  ringing  of  the  bell  at 
noon  and  the  curfew  bell,  rung  at  nine  o'clock  as  a 
signal  for  retiring,  were  never  practised  here. 

Dr.  Sanger,  after  taking  up  his  residence  in  Cam- 
bridge, continued  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  parish 
to  supply  the  pulpit.  This  arrangement  was  found  very 
arduous  and  inconvenient  ;  and,  seeing  no  prospect  that 


17°  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

the  circumstances  would  essentially  change,  and  think- 
ing it  for  the  good  of  the  society,  Dr.  Sanger  closed  his 
active  ministry  September  19,  1858,  but  continued 
senior  pastor  of  the  church  until  his  death. 

In  the  loss  of  Dr.  Sanger's  house  in  1857  the  commun- 
ion service  was  destroyed.  The  next  month  the  Messrs. 
Melancthon  Smith,  Jonathan  Ellis,  James  Newell,  and 
Joseph  A.  Allen  united  in  presenting  to  the  church  a 
beautiful  silver  service,  which  was  greatly  appreciated. 

The  parish  voted,  November  i,  1858,  to  invite  Ed- 
ward Barker,  Jr.,  to  settle  over  the  First  Parish  Church 
as  a  colleague  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger,  with  an  an- 
nual salary  of  five  hundred  dollars,  payable  quarterly, 
together  with  five  cords  of  wood  to  be  furnished  from 
the  parish  wood-lot. 

Mr.  Barker  was  a  native  of  England,  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  theological  school  at  Meadville,  Pa. 
He  accepted  the  call  of  the  First  Parish  and  was  or- 
dained December  8,  1858.  The  council  met  at  the 
house  of  Benjamin  Newell  at  eleven  o'clock.  The  pub- 
lic services  were  held  in  the  church  at  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  and  were  as  follows  :  — 

Introductory  prayer,  the  Rev.  F.  M.  Dorr,  Sherborn  ;  reading 
of  the  Scripture,  the  Rev.  William  G.  Babcock,  South  Natick; 
sermon,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ezra  S.  Gannett,  Boston :  ordaining  prayer, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Ralph  Sanger;  charge,  the  Rev.  Calvin  Lincoln, 
Hingham  ;  right  hand  of  fellowship,  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Bush,  Med- 
field :  address  to  the  people,  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Merrick,  Walpole ; 
concluding  prayer,  the  Rev.  John  S.  Berry.  Xeedham  ;  benediction, 
the  Rev.  Edward  Barker,  Jr. 

Mr.  Barker's  pastorate  was  not  harmonious,  and  he 
was  dismissed  by  vote  of  the  parish  at  the  end  of  the 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  171 

second  year  of  his  ministry.  The  additions  to  the 
church  numbered  three.  The  Rev.  Horatio  Alger,  Jr., 
supplied  the  pulpit  for  six  months  in  1 860 ;  but, 
deciding  to  make  literary  pursuits  —  the  writing  of 
juvenile  books  — a  life  work,  he  did  not  continue  in 
the  ministry. 

In  April,  1863,  the  Rev.  George  Proctor,  of  North 
Billerica,  Mass.,  a  minister  of  the  Universalist  denomina- 
tion, was  invited  to  become  pastor.  He  accepted  the 
invitation  and  continued  pastor  for  five  years.  He  was 
successful  in  his  pastorate,  and  thirty-four  persons 
united  with  the  church  under  his  ministry.  There  was 
a  discussion  in  1859  about  reorganizing  the  church  and 
having  a  test  for  membership  ;  but  no  definite  action 
was  taken  until  1867,  when  the  following  covenant, 
which  is  still  in  force,  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the 
church  :  — 

ist.  I  believe  in  the  one  living  and  true  Cod,  who  is  the  Father 
of  our  spirits  and  the  Preserver  of  our  lives,  the  Governor  of  the 
moral  world,  and  the  Disposer  of  all  tilings  and  events. 

2nd.  I  believe  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  spiritual  Son  of 
the  living  God,  the  great  teacher  of  truth  and  righteousness  to  the 
world,  and  a  Saviour;  that  he  fulfilled  the  Law  and  the  Prophets, 
and  established  the  Holy  Gospel  for  our  guide  in  faith  and 
practice. 

3rd.  1  believe  that  the  Lord  will  justly  reward  every  man 
according  to  his  works,  and  that  we  ought  to  do  justly,  love 
mercy,  walk  humbly  before  God,  and  dwell  together  in  love, 
endeavoring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace. 

Mr.  Proctor  was  born  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  Sep- 
tember 5,  1814.  He  studied  theology  with  the  Rev. 
Rufus  S.  Frost,  of  Hyannis,  Mass.  It  was  during  his 
ministry  that  the  children  were  brought  into  the  church 


172  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

service,  through  the  Sunday-school  concert  which  took 
the  place  of  the  afternoon  service  once  each  month. 

Soon  after  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Proctor  the  com- 
mittee of  the  church  invited  the  Rev.  Calvin  S.  Locke, 
of  West  Declham,  to  preach  two  Sundays.  His  service 
was  so  acceptable  to  the  people  and  so  pleasant  to  him- 
self that  he  continued  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  eleven 
years,  although  actively  engaged  in  teaching  in  his 
private  school  in  West  Dedham.  Mr.  Locke  imme- 
diately began  to  enlarge  the  work  of  the  church.  The 
Sunday-school  was  made  more  efficient  and  attractive 
through  the  introduction  of  an  appropriate  service-book, 
the  purchase  of  a  cabinet  organ,  and  the  introduction  of 
the  best  lesson-books.  The  regular  afternoon  service 
was  soon  given  up,  and  the  length  of  the  session  of  the 
Sunday-school  was  increased. 

The  church  service  was  enriched  by  the  adoption  of 
a  new  hymn-and-tune-book  and  the  purchase  of  a  fine 
pipe-organ.  During  Mr.  Locke's  ministry  the  church 
was  adorned  and  beautified  through  the  generosity  of 
Frederick  Barden,  Esq.,  of  Newton,  a  former  member 
of  the  parish. 

Feeling  the  need  of  a  library  for  his  people  more  mis- 
cellaneous in  character  than  that  of  the  Sunday-school, 
a  "parish  library"  was  organized,  to  which  Mr.  Locke 
contributed  books  from  his  own  library  as  a  nucleus. 
This  library  flourished,  and  in  the  absence  of  a  town 
library  greatly  added  to  the  pleasure  and  intelligence, of 
the  members  of  the  society.  Feeling  the  burden  Of  a 
double  service,  Mr.  Locke  closed  his  connection  with 
the  church  in  1880,  and  devoted  his  energies  to  his 
successful  private  school.  He  was  a  preacher  much 


ECCLESIA  S  TIC  A  L    HIS  TOR  Y  1 7  3 

esteemed,  a  friend  much  loved,  and  a  man  respected 
by  all.  Six  persons  united  with  the  church  under  his 
ministry. 

Calvin  Stoughton  Locke  was  born  in  Acworth,  N.H., 
October  n,  1829.  He  graduated  from  Amherst  Col- 
lege in  1849  and  the  Harvard  Divinity  School  in  1854. 
The  same  year  he  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  Third 
Parish  Church  at  West  Declham.  His  pastorate  con- 
tinued for  nearly  ten  years. 

In  the  spring  of  1880  the  Rev.  Eugene  De  Nor- 
mandie,  of  Sherborn,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
graduate  of  the  Meadville  Theological  School,  was 
invited  to  become  pastor,  and  for  seven  years  divided 
his  labors  with  the  churches  of  the  two  towns.  At  this 
time  the  hour  of  public  worship  was  changed  from 
eleven  A.M.  to  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

In  January,  1888,  the  Rev.  George  Henry  Badger,  of 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  a  graduate  of  Williams  College  and 
Harvard  Divinity  School,  was  ordained  and  settled  over 
the  Eliot  Church  at  South  Natick. 

Mr.  Badger  accepted  an  invitation  to  supply  the 
Dover  pulpit,  which  he  did  most  ably  until  called,  in 
1892,  to  a  church  in  New  Jersey. 

On  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Badger  the  Rev.  Obed 
Eldridge,  minister  of  the  Third  Parish,  West  Dedham, 
was  invited  to  supply  the  pulpit,  which  he  continued  to 
do  until  within  a  short  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
December  14,  1895. 

In  his  ministry  in  Dover,  Mr.  Eldridge  endeared 
himself  to  his  people,  and  was  very  popular  with  all. 
Without  the  advantages  of  high-school  or  college  train- 
ing, by  dint  of  perseverance,  and  with  the  burden  and 


174  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

care  of  a  large  family  already  on  his  hands,  he  acquired 
a  degree  of  learning  and  culture  which  made  him  an 
acceptable  preacher  of  the  Unitarian  denomination. 

After  leaving  the  district  school,  Mr.  Eldridge  learned 
the  trade  of  a  nailer,  which  he  pursued  until  his  ordina- 
tion at  Dighton,  Mass.,  in  1880.  He  was  very  pleasing 
as  a  platform  speaker.  His  noble  aspiration  for  an 
education  should  be  an  encouraging  example  to  all 
aspiring  youth.  Possessed  of  a  warm  and  sympathetic 
nature,  Mr.  Eldridge  excelled  at  funeral  services,  and 
was  enabled  to  impart  hope  and  solace  in  an  unusual 
degree  to  mourning  hearts. 

The  Rev.  Philip  S.  Thacher,  of  Needham,  is  the 
present  pastor  of  the  First  Parish  Church.  He  began 
his  services  the  first  Sunday  in  November,  1895.  Mr. 
Thacher  is  a  graduate  of  the  Meadville  Theological 
School,  and  represents  the  advanced  theological  thought 
of  the  time.  He  has  held  pastorates  at  Augusta,  Me., 
and  Santa  Barbara,  Cal. 

The  year  1898  will  mark  the  one  hundred  and  fifti- 
eth anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  First  Parish, 
and  an  unbroken  record  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
years  of  the  First  Parish  Church,  of  which  the  following 
persons  have  been  the  deacons  since  its  organization  in 
1762  to  the  present  time:  Ralph  Day,  Joseph  Haven, 
Ebenezer  Newell,  Ebenezer  Smith,  Ephraim  Wilson, 
Jonathan  Battle,  Ralph  Battelle,  Joseph  Larrabee,  Jo- 
seph A.  Smith,  Asa  Talbot. 

The  evening  of  Sunday,  January  20,  1839,  had  been 
set  apart  for  a  service  of  praise  in  the  First  Parish 
church.  In  carrying  coals  of  fire  from  one  part  of  the 
building  to  another,  some  \vere  accidentally  dropped  ; 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  175 

and  these  finding  lodgment  under  the  steps  of  the 
meeting-house,  it  was  soon  on  fire.  This  occurred  be- 
tween four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  Before 
assistance  could  be  summoned,  the  building  was  in 
flames,  and  was  totally  destroyed.  The  church  was 
well  built ;  and  its  frame  of  oak  stood  in  the  early  twi- 
light until  it  was  one  blaze  from  the  sills  to  the  top  of 
the  steeple,  furnishing  a  sight  of  grandeur  and  beauty 
which  was  never  forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  it. 
Rising  above  the  circumstances,  which  were  peculiarly 
discouraging,  the  members  of  the  parish  assembled  the 
next  morning  around  the  smouldering  ruins  of  their 
church,,  and  arranged  to  call  a  parish  meeting. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  parish  held  February  n,  1839, 
it  was  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting-house,  and  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  were  chosen  a  building  committee: 
Hiram  W.  Jones,  John  Williams,  and  Daniel  Mann. 
The  committee  acted  with  much  energy  and  prompt- 
ness. The  society  decided  to  build  a  church,  not  of 
ambitious  architecture,  but  comfortable  and  convenient, 
and  well  adapted  to  the  changed  condition  of  the  parish. 
February  15,  1839,  it  was  voted  "to  build  a  meeting- 
house fifty  feet  long,  forty  feet  wide,  and  to  be  finished 
in  the  same  manner  and  style  as  the  new  Baptist  meet- 
ing-house in  Medfiekl,  and  to  be  in  every  respect  equal 
to  that  house." 

The  town  was  anxious  to  provide  itself  with  a  hall  ; 
and,  having  made  arrangements  with  the  parish,  the 
town  constructed  the  vestry  of  the  church,  which  was 
used  for  town  purposes.  The  contract  for  building  the 
church  was  awarded  to  Thomas  Phillips,  of  South 
Natick,  who  constructed  a  building  of  fine  workman- 


176         .  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

ship  throughout.  The  work  was  pushed  with  rapidity, 
and  in  less  than  eight  months  the  church  was  dedicated. 
While  the  new  meeting-house  was  being  built,  the 
congregation  worshipped  in  the  Center  schoolhouse. 
Recognizing  the  burden  of  the  society,  Mr.  Sanger  re- 
linquished one  fifth  of  his  salary  for  the  year  1839. 
The  church  cost,  above  the  expense  met  by  the  town, 
§2,878.35,  and  was  dedicated  free  of  debt.  Friends  of 
the  parish  in  adjoining  towns,  also  at  Jamaica  Plain, 
Brighton,  Brookline,  and  Hollis  Street  Church  in  Bos- 
ton, furnished  pecuniary  aid  amounting  to  $587.77. 
These  contributions  greatly  encouraged  and  strength- 
ened the  people. 

The  tower  of  the  church  was  furnished  with  a  bell 
weighing  ten  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  An  effort  was 
made  to  beautify  the  grounds  ;  and  Capt.  Timothy  Allen, 
John  Williams,  the  Rev.  Ralph  Sanger,  and  Luther 
Eastman  were  chosen  a  committee  to  invite  the  people  to 
meet  at  a  given  time  and  plant  trees.  The  members 
of  the  parish  responded  to  the  invitation,  and  a  large 
number  of  trees  were  set  out ;  but,  the  people  failing 
to  note  the  nature  of  the  soil,  the  elms,  maples,  and  ash- 
trees  which  were  planted  did  not  flourish,  and  few  lived 
to  ornament  the  grounds.  Had  the  conditions  been 
taken  into  consideration,  the  ample  grounds  of  the  par- 
ish might  have  been  made  a  thing  of  beauty.  The  new 
meeting-house  was  dedicated  September  18,  1839,  with 
the  following  exercises,  including  appropriate  music:  — 

I  ntroductory  prayer,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  of  Sherborn  ;  read- 
ing of  Scripture,  the  Rev.  Mr.  White,  of  West  Dedham ; 
sermon,  the  Rev.  Ralph  Sanger;  dedicatory  prayer,  the  Rev. 
William  Ritchie,  of  Needham :  concluding  prayer,  the  Rev. 
Charles  Robinson,  of  Medfield. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  177 

A  majority  of  the  older  Sunday-schools  in  Massachu- 
setts were  organized  in  i8ib.  In  April  of  that  year 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leonard  Battle  organized  a  Sunday-school 
for  the  instruction  of  the  laboring  people  who  worked 
in  the  mills.  The  exercises  of  the  Sunday-school  were 
held  over  the  store  of.Capt.  Josiah  Newell  at  Charles 
River  Village.  Little  is  known  of  this  early  Sunday- 
school.  It  had  a  short  life,  but  was  soon  followed  by 
the  organization  of  another,  which  was  later  connected 
with  the  First  Parish  Church. 

In  1822  Miss  Mary  Perry  entered  upon  the  duties  of 
teacher  in  the  Center  School.  To  encourage  an  interest 
in  religious  exercises,  she  invited  her  pupils  to  commit 
to  memory  passages  of  Scripture  and  verses  of  hymns, 
to  be  repeated  to  her  on  Monday  morning.  Some  of 
the  pupils  entered  upon  the  work  with  pleasure  ;  but, 
as  the  interest  increased,  jealousies  arose,  and  some  of 
the  parents  complained  that  too  much  time  was  taken 
from  the  school  duties.  Miss  Perry  then  invited  her 
scholars  to  meet  her  in  the  schoolhouse  on  Sunday 
noon.  This  invitation  was  heartily  accepted,  and  she 
soon  had  a  class  larger  than  she  could  attend  to.  In 
1824  the  session  of  this  school  was  held  in  the  church. 

Many  of  the  early  Sunday-schools  were  held  for  years 
in  schoolhouses  and  halls,  independent  of  the  church. 
They  were  not  generally  esteemed.  For  years  the 
First  Parish  Sunday-school  was  kept  open  only  through 
the  summer  months,  always  adjourning  as  cold  weather 
approached.  This  was  at  first  necessary,  as  there  was 
no  means  of  heating  the  church  ;  but  the  custom  con- 
tinued long  after  the  meeting-house  was  warmed. 
Seventy-five  years  ago  children  were  not  generally 


178  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

taken  to  church  in  inclement  weather.  The  men  and 
boys  kept  warm  as  best  they  could,  while  the  women 
and  girls  depended  upon  extra  clothing  and  the  foot- 
stove. 

Mr.  Sanger  did  not  fail  to  recognize  the  value  of  the 
Sunday-school  as  a  means  of  promoting  the  intellectual, 
moral,  and  religious  improvement  of  the  young,  and 
early  did  much  to  foster  it. 

In  1869  Calvin  Richards,  who  interested  himself  in 
the  re-establishment  of  a  library,  examined  the  books 
of  the  "  Proprietors'  Library,"  in  connection  with  the 
Rev.  C.  S.  Locke,  who  proposed  to  the  First  Parish  to 
establish  a  parish  library,  purchasing  the  books  of  the 
Proprietors'  Library  as  a  nucleus.  Mr.  Locke  offered  to 
add  some  books  of  more  recent  date  from  his  own 
library.  The  proposition  met  with  favor  ;  and  January 
I,  18/0,  the  First  Parish,  having  purchased  for  the  sum 
of  fifteen  dollars  the  right  and  title  to  the  Proprietors' 
Library,  organized  the  Dover  First  Parish  Library,  with 
a  full  board  of  officers.  The  library  was  opened  for  the 
delivery  of  books  on  the  first  and  third  Sundays  of  each 
month.  Frederick  Harden,  Esq.,  a  lifelong  friend  of 
the  First  Parish,  presented  to  the  library  in  1874  a  fund 
of  one  thousand  dollars,  the  income  of  which  is  used 
for  the  purchase  of  books.  It  was  Mr.  Barden's  ex- 
pressed wish  that  the  fund  should  forever  remain  for 
the  support  of  the  First  Parish  Library.  In  his  letter  of 
presentation  he  said,  "  I  do  not  love  the  town  less,  but 
I  love  the  parish  more."  The  rules  of  the  library  have 
been  somewhat  modified  since  its  organization.  It  is 
now  open  for  the  delivery  of  books  each  Sunday  after- 
noon, and  is  free  to  all  the  members  of  the  First  Parish 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  179 

and  church  attendants.  Others  have  access  to  the 
library  on  the  payment  of  a  small  annual  fee. 

In  the  early  time  all  the  able-bodied  had  to  attend  the 
church  service.  In  1760  the  General  Court  of  Massa- 
chusetts passed  a  law  that  "  any  persons  able  of  body 
who  should  absent  themselves  from  public  worship  of 
God  on  the  Lord's  Day  should  pay  a  fine  of  ten 
shillings." 

The  following  record  is  in  Col.  John  Jones's  "  Book 
of  Minits  "  :  — 

Dom.  Rex  i>s.  Ephraim  Bacon.  Suffolk  ss.  Memo,  That  on 
ye  25th  day  of  July,  1774,  Ephraim  Bacon,  of  Dedham  [Dover], 
yeoman  in  ten  pounds,  Oliver  Kendrick,  of  Dedham  [Dover], 
yeoman  in  ten  pounds,  Recognized  that  ye  said  Ephraim  should 
appear  before  ye  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  ye  peace  to  be 
held  at  Boston  on  ye  z6th  Inst.  at  10  A.M.,  to  answer  for  his 
unlawfully  absenting  himself  from  Publick  Worship  of  God  on 
Lord's  Days  three  months,  as  Expressed  in  a  bill  of  indictment 
filed  in  said  court. 

Suffolk  ss.,  August  8.  i  744.  Ephraim  Bacon  in  ye  same  sum 
and  ye  same  surety  recognized  and  held  to  answer  at  ye  Gen'l 
Sessions  of  ye  Peace  ye  ist  Tuesday  in  October  next. 

Whether  the  plaintiff  (Dom.  Rex)  or  the  defendant 
(Ephraim  Bacon)  gained  the  case  does  not  appear. 

The  First  Parish  Sunday-school  established  a  library 
in  the  early  thirties,  which  in  the  selection  of  books 
received  much  attention  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  and 
others.  It  was  for  many  years  a  valuable  library,  con- 
taining several  hundred  volumes,  but  declined  after  the 
establishment  of  the  parish  library,  as  the  members  of 
the  Sunday-school  had  access  to  this  library  and  were 
encouraged  to  read  books  which  did  not  find  a  place  in 


i8o  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

the  Sunday-school  library.  After  the  destruction  of 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger's  house  in  1857,  there  was  no  col- 
lection of  books  accessible  to  the  people  except  the 
libraries  of  the  several  Sunday-schools  until  1870. 

The  parish  made  an  early  provision  for  singing.  At 
a  meeting  held  January  13,  1764,  before  even  the  new 
schoolhouse  had  been  accepted,  it  was  voted  to  open  it 
two  evenings  in  a  week  for  a  singing-school.  This 
instruction  was  intended  to  lead  to  singing  by  note. 
At  the  March  meeting  in  1 770  Lemuel  Richards, 
Joseph  Fisher,  and  Asa  Richards  were  chosen  to  tune 
the  psalms  for  the  year  ensuing.  A  little  later  the 
singers  were  seated  in  the  front  gallery  in  the  meeting- 
house, and  only  one  person  was  appointed  to  tune  the 
psalms.  We  can  easily  imagine  Joseph  Fisher  standing, 
perhaps  on  the  pulpit  stairs,  with  a  pitch-pipe  in  hand, 
"tuning  the  psalms."  He  reads  two  lines,  adjusts  his 
voice,  and  then  the  congregation  "joins  in  the  arduous 
pursuit."  In  this  way  the  whole  psalm  is  sung. 

The  district  of  Dover  voted  November  29,  1824,  to 
appropriate  fifty  dollars  for  the  support  of  singing  in 
church.  Ralph  Battelle,  Josiah  Newell,  and  Fisher  Tis- 
dale  were  appointed  to  superintend  the  expenditure  of 
the  money.  This  was  probably  devoted  to  the  support 
of  a  singing-school  rather  than  to  the  payment  of  a 
choir.  Singing-schools  were  sustained  by  the  town  for 
many  years,  and  were  under  the  instruction  of  promi- 
nent singing-masters.  Watts's  Psalms  and  Hymns, 
which  were  almost  universally  used  in  the  church  ser- 
vice after  the  Revolution,  was  probably  the  first  hymn- 
book  used  in  the  Dover  meeting-house. 

The  singing  in  country  churches  of  this  period  must 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  181 

have  been  bad,  as  it  was  largely  by  rote.  The  impor- 
tance of  singing  by  note  was  not  recognized.  The  tunes 
at  first  were  all  dancing-tunes  adapted.  With  the  intro- 
duction of  sacred  airs  the  singing  greatly  improved,  and 
in  time  became  excellent  in  the  Dover  church. 

Before  the  introduction  of  an  organ  a  variety  of 
instrumental  music  was  introduced  into  the  church 
service.  Moses  Draper  played  the  bass-viol ;  Aaron 
Miller,  William  Cleveland,  Willard  Battelle,  Samuel  F. 
Allen,  violin  ;  Elijah  Perry,  Alonzo  Howe,  'cello  ;  Thomas 
Smith,  William  Tisdale,  Benjamin  Newell,  flute.  The 
first  organ  was  a  reed  instrument,  which  was  not  satis- 
factory. A  pipe-organ  was  introduced  about  1845. 

Christmas  for  the  first  time  was  publicly  observed 
with  a  festival  and  Christmas-tree  in  1859.  This  early 
celebration  of  Christinas  by  the  First  Parish  Sunday- 
school  was  doubtless  due  to  the  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Barker,  who  was  of  English  birth  and  accustomed  to 
the  celebration  abroad.  The  first  celebration  in  Boston 
antedates  this  observance  by  only  four  years.  There 
was  great  prejudice  against  the  celebration  of  Christmas 
in  New  England,  as  the  service  was  looked  upon  as 
popish. 

The  women  came  to  the  front  in  the  organization  of 
a  Ladies'  Benevolent  Society  about  1830.  The  organi- 
zation had  a  full  board  of  officers,  of  which  Mrs.  Jona- 
than Battelle  was  the  first  president.  Regular  monthly 
meetings  were  held,  at  which  time  there  was  much 
quilting  and  sewing,  and  many  fancy  articles  were  made. 
The  meetings  were  held  at  the  homes  of  the  members 
of  the  society,  and  often  took  the  form  of  a  social  in 
the  evening,  to  which  the  young  people  and  the  gentle- 
men were  invited. 


1 82  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

An  annual  fair  was  held,  at  which  time  their  handi- 
work was  offered  for  sale. 

The  church  organ  was  purchased  by  the  ladies,  and 
up  to  the  present  time  they  have  always  met  the  ex- 
pense of  the  organist. 

Through  the  labors  of  the  Ladies'  Benevolent  Society 
the  women  of  the  parish  have  helped  to  support  preach- 
ing, repaired  and  beautified  the  church,  and  in  all  the 
years  since  its  organization  have  rendered  substantial  aid. 

When  we  gaze  at  Easter-time  upon  the  beautiful 
church  decoration,  we  may  remember  that  this  is  a 
comparatively  recent  custom. 

It  is  said  that  Warren  Street  Chapel  in  Boston,  which 
was  organized  in  1832,  was  the  first  Protestant  church 
in  America  to  introduce  flowers  as  a  part  of  the  regular 
Sunday  decoration  of  the  sanctuary. 

The  observance  of  Easter  came  about  gradually  in 
the  Dover  churches,  and  it  would  be  impossible  to  tell 
at  what  time  or  in  which  church  it  was  first  observed. 

At  first  the  sermon  alone  called  attention  to  the  day, 
while  later  special  music  and  decorations  were  added  ; 
and,  lastly,  the  children  were  brought  into  the  service 
by  means  of  the  Sunday-school  concert,  which  often 
took  the  place  of  the  evening  service. 

Happily,  our  fathers  had  the  true  Xew  England  spirit, 
and  placed  their  meeting-house  upon  the  hill-top,  where 
it  has  been  kept,  for  a  century  and  a  halt",  as  a  beacon 
light.  We  shall  never  know  how  many  persons  have 
unconsciously  absorbed  higher  aspirations,  and  been 
made  more  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  duty  through 
the  silent  influence  ot  its  heavenward-pointing  spire. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY.—  Continued. 

BAPTIST  CHURCH  —  THE  REV.  A.  E.  BATTELLE  —  SECOND 
CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH  —  THE  REV.  GEORGE  CHAM- 
PION— -THE  REV.  CALVIN  WHITE  —  THE  REV.  O.  W. 

COOLEY THE  REV.  JOHN    HASKELL THE   REV.   THOMAS 

NORTON  —  THE  REV.  J.  G.  WILSON  —  THE  REV.  S.  C. 
STRONG  —  THE  REV.  JOHN  WOOD  —  THE  REV.  PIERCE 
PINCH  —  THE  REV.  J.  W.  BROWNVILLE  —  THE  REV. 
P.  C.  HEADLEY  —  THE  REV.  H.  L.  HOWARD  —  THE  REV. 
A.  M.  RICE  —  THE  REV.  A.  H.  TYLER  —  THE  REV. 
EDWIN  LEONARD  —  CHRISTIAN  ENDEAVOR  SOCIETY  — 
MILLERITES  —  CATHOLICS. 

One  holy  Church  of  Clod  appears 

Through  every  age  and  race, 
Unwasted  by  the  lapse  of  years, 

Unchanged  by  changing  place. 

—  SAMTF.L  LONGFELLOW. 

BAPTIST    CHURCH. 

The  Baptists  had  a  definite  religious  belief  from  the 
first,  and  their  rates  were  abated  as  early  as  1774.  In 
1/80  they  were  relieved  by  vote  of  the  parish  from  pay- 
ing to  the  support  of  the  First  Parish  Church  whenever 
a  certificate,  properly  signed,  was  presented  stating  that 
the  bearer  was  of  the  Baptist  persuasion. 

The  Baptists  in  Medfield  were  among  the  first  to 
organize  a  church.  The  Dover  Baptists  attended  this 
church,  which  was  organized  in  1776,  for  many  years. 
After  the  organization  of  the  church  in  West  Dedham, 


184  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

in  1824,  some  of  the  residents  worshipped  there.  But 
the  desire  to  have  a  church  of  their  own  was  so  strong 
that  as  early  as  1835  regular  religious  services  were 
held  at  the  house  of  Dea.  Calvin  French,  at  Charles 
River  Village.  This  move  did  not  meet  with  the  ap- 
proval of  the  West  Dedham  Church;  but  in  1837  the 
Baptists  of  Dover,  Needham,  and  Natick  united  in 
inviting  an  ecclesiastical  council  to  meet  on  Tuesday, 
October  3,  1837,  and  recognize  them  as  a  church,  to 
be  known  as  the  Needham  and  Dover  Baptist  Church. 
The  articles  of  faith  and  practice  of  the  Federal 
Street  Baptist  Church  in  Boston,  now  Clarendon  Street, 
were  adopted.  The  council,  representing  all  the  Baptist 
churches  in  the  vicinity,  met,  as  invited,  at  the  house  of 
Deacon  French,  and,  after  fully  considering  the  matter, 
resolved  :  — 

That  the  council  rejoice  in  the  progress  of  divine  truth  in  this 
place,  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  brothers  and  sisters 
asking  advice  in  reference  to  organizing  themselves  into  a  distinct 
church  to  go  on  and  do  all  in  their  power  in  forming  a  religious 
society,  sustaining  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  erecting  a  chapel, 
etc.  ;  but  that  the  council  deemed  it  expedient  to  defer  the  forma- 
tion of  a  church  for  the  present. 

The  people  entered  upon  the  work  of  church-building 
with  enthusiasm.  A  lot  was  purchased  of  Dea.  Calvin 
French  for  twenty-five  dollars  ;  and  the  next  year  they 
completed  a  chapel,  which,  to  meet  the  convenience  of 
the  three  towns,  was  located  on  the  Dover  side  of  the 
Charles  River,  nearly  opposite  the  present  residence  of 
Mr.  Jolliffe  on  Center  Street. 

A  second  council  assembled  June  20,  1838,  and  voted 
to  recognize  the  societv  as  a  distinct  organization,  to 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  185 

be  known  as  the  Needham  and  Dover  Baptist  Church. 
The  following  parts  were  assigned  by  the  council  in 
the  recognition  of  the  church  and  in  the  dedication  of 
the  chapel  :  — 

Scripture  reading,  the  Rev.  Origen  Crane,  of  Newton;  intro- 
ductory prayer,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Driver,  West  Dedham;  ser- 
mon, the  Rev.  C.  O.  Kimball,  of  Charlestown;  consecration 
prayer,  the  Rev.  William  Leverett,  Roxbury ;  right  hand  of 
fellowship,  the  Rev.  William  H.  Shailer,  of  Brookline ;  address 
to  the  church,  the  Rev.  Bradley  Miner,  Dorchester. 

The  church  prospered,  although  it  never  had  a  settled 
minister,  and  at  one  time  numbered  sixty  members.  In 
1842  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Chandler,  of  Heath,  Mass.,  was 
invited  to  supply  the  pulpit.  He  accepted,  and  after  a 
few  months  was  dismissed,  to  take  charge  of  the  Second 
Baptist  Church  in  Belchertown,  Mass.  The  Baptist  de- 
nomination continued  to  grow ;  and  in  a  few  years 
churches  were  formed  in  Natick  and  Needham,  which 
drew  from  the  membership  and  attendance  of  the  Dover 
church. 

In  1860  the  chapel  was  moved  by  vote  of  the  society 
to  its  present  location,  and  was  rededicated  November 
28,  1862.  The  site  was  gained  through  an  exchange  of 
land  with  Sherman  Battelle,  a  firm  and  devoted  friend 
of  the  church  from  the  start.  After  its  removal  it  was 
named  the  Springdale  Baptist  Church.  The  Rev.  A.  E. 
Battelle,  a  native  of  Dover,  was  for  several  years  acting 
pastor  of  the  church.  For  many  years  students  from 
the  Newton  Theological  School  occupied  the  pulpit,  and 
it  was  laughingly  said  that  one  could  not  graduate  from 
the  Newton  Theological  School  without  first  preaching 
in  Dover.  During  the  last  few  years  the  church  has 


186  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

not  had  regular  Sunday  services,  but  occasional  meet- 
ings have  been  held.  The  property  is  held  in  trust. 
The  Rev.  Dr.  S.  F.  Smith,  the  author  of  "  America," 
was  at  one  time  a  frequent  and  welcome  preacher. 
Many  distinguished  men  have  preached  for  this  church 
as  theological  students,  among  whom  may  be  men- 
tioned President  Robinson,  of  Brown  University ;  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Magoon,  of  Philadelphia ;  the  Rev.  Dr.  An- 
derson, of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  New  York  City  ; 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fyfe,  a  prominent  preacher  in  the 
Dominion  of  Canada.  The  following  have  been  deacons 
in  the  church  :  Calvin  French,  Clement  Bartlett,  John 
K  enrich. 

SECOND    COXGRKGATIOXAL    CHURCH. 

The  Church  and  State  were  separated,  as  far  as  the 
Dover  church  was  concerned,  in  1832;  and  from  that 
time  the  First  Parish  Church  had  to  meet  its  own  ex- 
penses without  any  help  from  the  district  as  an  incor- 
porated body.  Previous  to  that  time  the  great  religious 
controversy  had  occurred  in  the  Congregational  Church, 
and  some  of  the  residents  who  accepted  the  Orthodox 
faith  united  with  Trinitarian  churches  in  the  vicinity. 

Others  had  moved  into  town  who  were  already  mem- 
bers of  Orthodox  churches.  Being  freed  from  the  min- 
ister tax  for  the  support  of  the  First  Parish  Church, 
those  who  held  the  Trinitarian  belief  in  1838  took  steps, 
like  the  Baptists,  to  form  a  church  of  their  own.  A 
meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Calvin  Bigelow,  which 
resulted  in  the  establishment  of  another  religious  soci- 
ety for  the  maintenance  of  public  worship.  This  new 
parish  was  organized  December  27,  1838,  and  was 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  187 

called  the  Second  Congregational  Church  of  Dover. 
February  14,  1839,  the  society  purchased  of  Jonathan 
Upham  half  an  acre  of  land  for  one  hundred  dollars. 
The  deed  states,  "  The  said  piece  of  land  is  that  on 
which  the  old  meeting-house  stood."  The  society  en- 
tered upon  the  work  of  building  without  delay,  and  in 
1839  dedicated  their  chapel,  which  cost  about  one 
thousand  dollars. 

The  reasons  assigned  for  organizing  another  church, 
as  given  in  the  records  of  the  society,  are  as  follows  :  — 

The  known  departure  from  the  faith  of  the  founders  of  the 
Congregational  church  in  Dover;  the  increasing  number  of  those 
who  entertain  evangelical  views  of  doctrine,  most  of  whom,  be- 
longing to  different  churches  in  the  vicinity,  are  obliged  to  go 
some  distance  to  worship  :  and  an  earnest  desire  on  their  part  to 
do  something  for  the  good  of  the;r  offspring  and  neighbors  in 
the  place  of  their  residence. 

The  kindliest  feeling  has  always  existed  between  the 
First  Parish  Church  and  the  Second  Congregational 
Church.  In  1869,  while  the  First  Parish  church  was 
being  repaired,  the  society  occupied  by  invitation  the 
Congregational  chapel ;  and,  when  the  Christian  En- 
deavor Society  of  the  Second  Congregational  Church 
was  organized,  in  1886,  it  was  named  the  "Haven  Soci- 
ety," in  honor  of  one  of  the  first  deacons  of  the  First 
Parish  Church. 

In  its  organization  the  new  church  was  composed 
largely  of  those  who,  by  education  or  former  residence, 
were  interested  in  what  was  termed  the  "Orthodox" 
church. 

The  meeting-house  of  the  Second  Congregational 
Society  was  dedicated  on  Thursday,  June  27,  1839. 


1 88  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

The    exercises    were    largely    attended,    and    were    as 
follows  :  — 

Reading  of  the  Scripture  and  introductory  prayer,  the  Rev. 
Edmund  Dowse,  of  Sherborn:  sermon,  the  Rev.  Silas  Aiken, 
D.I).,  of  Park  Street  Church,  Boston,  from  Psalm  Ixxxiv.  i.  2: 
dedicatory  prayer,  the  Rev.  L.  Hyde,  of  Weymouth ;  address  to 
the  society,  the  Rev.  S.  Harding,  of  East  Medway. 

The  church  was  organized  by  an  ecclesiastical  council, 
which  convened  October  23,  1839,  and  consisted  of 
nineteen  original  members. 

The  public  exercises  were  as  follows  :  — 

Introductory  prayer,  the  Rev.  I.  W.  Stevens;  sermon,  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Burgess.  D.D.  :  fellowship  of  the  churches,  the  Rev. 
Sewall  Harding :  concluding  prayer,  the  Rev.  John  Bullard. 

The  first  minister  of  the  society  was  the  Rev.  George 
Champion,  who  was  active  in  organizing  the  new  church. 
He  remained  until  December  5,  1841,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  the  Rev.  Rowell  Tenney,  who  supplied  eight 
months.  In  the  fall  of  1843  the  church  invited  the 
Rev.  Lucius  Clark  to  settle  as  its  minister ;  but  the 
parish,  being  unable  to  raise  sufficient  funds,  did  not 
concur  with  the  church.  The  society  did  not  have 
a  settled  minister  for  nearly  ten  years  after  its  organi- 
zation. The  Rev.  Calvin  White  supplied  the  pulpit 
from  1842  to  June  20,  1847;  and  March  /,  1848,  the 
parish  united  with  the  church  in  calling  Mr.  Oramel 
W.  Cooley  to  settle  at  a  salary  of  four  hundred  dollars 
per  year.  Mr.  Cooley  accepted  the  invitation,  and  was 
ordained  May  4,  1848.  The  public  exercises  were  as 
follows  :  - 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  189 

Introductory  prayer,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hunt,  of  Natick; 
sermon,  the  Rev.  S.  D.  Clark,  Ashfield ;  ordaining  prayer,  the 
Rev.  Calvin  Durfee ;  charge  to  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Burgess, 
of  Dedham ;  right  hand  of  fellowship,  the  Rev.  Edmund  Dowse, 
of  Sherborn ;  address  to  the  people,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Ide,  of 
Medway  ;  concluding  prayer,  the  Rev.  A.  Bigelow,.  of  Medfield ; 
benediction  by  the  pastor. 

Mr.  Cooley  continued  in  the  pastorate  for  two  years, 
and  was  succeeded  in  1850  by  Mr.  John  Haskell,  who 
was  ordained  December  2,  1850,  and  who  remained 
eight  years. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Norton  became  minister  of  the 
society  in  1859,  and  labored  efficiently  for  ten  years. 
He  was  much  interested  in  temperance,  the  public 
schools,  and  whatever  tended  to  improve  and  elevate 
the  town.  The  Baptist  meeting-house  having  been 
moved  away,  Mr.  Norton  established  at  Charles  River 
Village  a  regular  Sunday  afternoon  service  and  Sunday- 
school,  the  services  being  held  in  Noanet's  Hall. 

Later  this  movement  led  to  the  organization  of  a 
society,  which  held  regular  Sunday  afternoon  services 
in  the  hall  of  the  Parker  Schoolhouse  in  Needham.  In 
1871  the  Rev.  J.  G.  Wilson  was  called  at  a  salary  of 
seven  hundred  dollars  and  a  parsonage.  As  the  church 
owned  no  parsonage,  this  led  to  the  consideration  of 
building  one.  A  committee  of  five  was  chosen  in  1872 
to  provide  "ways  and  means"  to  build  a  parsonage. 
The  committee  purchased  for  five  hundred  dollars  the 
site  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger's  house,  preparatory  to 
building ;  but  before  any  active  steps  were  taken,  in 
1875,  Mrs.  Abigail  Draper  Mann  died,  and  willed  her 
property  on  Dedham  Street  to  the  society. 


1 90  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

The  estate  was  immediately  taken  possession  of,  and 
active  steps  taken  to  provide  a  home  for  the  minister. 
Mrs.  Mann's  house  was  moved  back  and  made  to  form 
a  part  of  a  new  building,  which  was  erected  in  1875. 
The  parsonage  was  not  completely  finished  for  several 
years.  A  debt  continued  for  some  time,  but  was  finally 
lifted  through  the  generosity  of  neighboring  churches 
and  friends  in  other  towns  who  were  interested  in  the 
society. 

Mr.  Wilson  remained  as  pastor  of  the  church  for  two 
years.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  S.  C.  Strong,  of 
South  Natick,  a  man  much  beloved,  but  who  was  soon 
followed  by  the  Rev.  John  Wood,  of  Wellesley.  Mr. 
Wood  labored  with  the  society  for  three  years ;  and, 
although  a  resident  of  another  town,  he  was  much 
among  his  people.  He  united  the  church  which  he 
found  in  dissension,  added  new  members,  and  left  it  a 
much  stronger  organization  than  when  he  took  charge. 

In  1878  the  Home  Missionary  Society,  which  had  long 
aided  and  fostered  the  Dover  church,  advised  uniting 
with  the  John  Eliot  Church  of  South  Xatick, —  which 
was  also  under  its  care, —  in  calling  a  minister  to  settle 
over  the  two  societies.  A  union  was  effected,  and  Mr. 
Pierce  Pinch  was  invited  to  settle.  He  accepted  the 
call,  and  selected  South  Natick  as  his  place  of  residence. 
Mr.  Pinch  was  ordained  and  installed  as  pastor  of  the 
Dover  and  South  Natick  churches  July  25,  1878.  The 
order  of  services  was  as  follows  :  — 

Invocation  and  reading  of  Scripture,  the  Rev.  Charles  Jones; 
sermon,  the  Rev.  Hiram  Mead,  Oberlin,  Ohio;  installing  prayer, 
the  Rev.  S.  D.  Hosmer:  charge  to  the  minister,  the  Rev.  II.  I. 
Patrick  :  right  hand  of  fellowship,  the  Rev.  E.  K.  Strong :  address 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  191 

to    the    people,  the    Rev.  William    Barrows,    D.D. ;    concluding 
prayer,  the  Rev.  John  Wood ;  benediction  by  the  pastor. 

This  union  continued  for  two  years,  when  it  was  dis- 
solved, and  the  Dover  church  was  united  with  the 
mission  at  Charles  River  Village.  The  Rev.  J.  W. 
Brownville  was  invited  in  June,  1880,  to  become  pastor 
of  the  two  societies.  He  was  the  first  pastor  to  occupy 
the  new  parsonage.  He  resigned  after  two  years'  ser- 
vice. In  September,  1882,  the  Rev.  P.  C.  Headley,  a 
man  of  wide  reputation  as  an  author  and  preacher,  began 
to  supply  the  pulpit.  He  occupied  the  parsonage  with 
his  family,  and  continued  as  minister  of  the  society  until 
1885,  when  he  moved  to  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Headley 
was  very  active  in  his  church,  held  many  revival  meet- 
ings, increased  the  membership,  and  stimulated  the 
members  to  much  religious  work. 

He  was  a  man  much  beloved  by  his  people,  and  on 
his  return  to  Massachusetts  the  society  unanimously 
voted  again  to  invite  him  to  become  pastor  of  the 
church  ;  but,  having  arrived  at  a  time  of  life  when  he 
wished  to  be  relieved  from  the  responsibility  of  a 
church,  he  declined. 

In  1885  the  Rev.  H.  L.  Howard  was  called  to  supply 
the  pulpit  for  a  year.  Soon  after  the  close  of  his  year's 
service  the  Rev.  A.  M.  Rice  was  invited  to  become 
acting  pastor.  Mr.  Rice  remained  three  years ;  and 
December  23,  1889,  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Tyler  was  called 
to  the  church.  He  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his 
people,  but  was  obliged  to  resign  his  pastorate  after 
a  two  years'  service  on  account  of  ill-health. 

The  parish  as  a  separate  organization  has  been  abol- 
ished, and  in  its  place  the  church  has  been  incorpo- 


1 92  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

rated.  This  act  was  performed  July  3,  1890,  under 
the  title  of  the  Evangelical  Congregational  Church  of 
Dover.  The  church  has  adopted  a  "  Confession  of 
Faith  "  and  a  Covenant,  which  is  found  in  the  manual 
of  the  society. 

The  Haven  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was  or- 
ganized November  7,  1886,  with  ten  active  and  three 
associate  members.  Jedediah  W.  Higgins,  who  was  in- 
strumental in  its  organization,  was  chosen  its  first  presi- 
dent. The  society  has  prospered,  and  has  been  efficient 
in  its  work.  The  Sunday  evening  meetings  of  the 
church  for  several  years  have  been  in  charge  of  the 
Society  of  Christian  Endeavor.  In  1888  the  church 
was  greatly  improved  and  beautified  through  the  efforts 
of  this  society.  A  large  percentage  of  the  associate 
members  have  become  active  members  through  a  union 
with  the  church.  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  society 
was  formed  at  a  time  when  there  was  a  vacancy  in  the 
pastorate,  and  the  more  credit  is  to  be  given  the  young 
people  for  their  effort  in  its  organization. 

The  Rev.  Edwin  Leonard  became  pastor  in  1892. 
Mr.  Leonard  is  a  graduate  of  Bowdoin  College  and 
Bangor  Theological  Seminary.  He  is  a  man  of  wide 
reading  and  good  attainments,  conservative  yet  having 
a  broad  charity  for  all.  He  has  held  pastorates  at 
Milton,  Rochester,  South  Dartmouth,  Mass.,  and  Morris, 
Conn.  The  following  have  been  the  deacons  in  the 
church  :  Daniel  Chickering,  Calvin  Bigelow,  James 
Chickering,  Prescott  Eiske,  Ebcn  Higgins,  Richard  P. 
Mills,  James  McGill,  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Norton,  Jedediah 
\V.  Higgins,  Allen  K.  Smith. 


ECCLESIASTICAL    HISTORY  193 

MILLERITES. 

In  that  memorable  period  of  religious  excitement, 
1843,  when  William  Miller  prophesied  that  the  second 
coming  of  the  Messiah  was  near  at  hand,  this  com- 
munity was  not  exempt  from  the  excitement.  Some 
of  the  disciples  of  Miller  gave  up  secular  work,  and 
engaged  night  and  day  in  prayer  and  in  singing  psalms. 
As  the  appointed  day  approached,  they  refused  to  lay  in 
provisions,  and  even  neglected  to  prepare  food  as  they 
made  ready  for  ascension. 

CATHOLICS. 

While  the  Baptists  early  protested  against  being 
taxed  for  the  support  of  the  First  Parish  Church,  there 
is  no  record  of  any  opposition  from  the  Catholics. 
There  were,  however,  some  of  this  faith  in  town  pre- 
vious to  the  time  of  the  separation  of  the  Church  and 
State.  The  few  surviving  members  at  this  time  of  the 
little  company  of  early  Catholics  in  town  have  seen 
their  number  increase  and  the  one  church  of  their  faith 
at  Natick  multiply  until  Catholic  churches  are  now 
found  at  South  Natick,  Medfield,  Walpole,  Dedham, 
and  Needham. 

The  Dover  Catholics  have,  perhaps  without  excep- 
tion, attended  or  been  under  the  ministration  of  the 
Natick  churches.  They  wrere  cheerful  and  liberal  con- 
tributors towards  the  expense  of  building  the  Sacred 
Heart  Church  at  South  Natick,  and  since  its  establish- 
ment have  been  its  devout  and  loyal  supporters.  The 
Catholic  population  is  now  numerous,  and  faithful  in  the 
support  of  their  religion. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

CEMETERY. 

FIRST  BURIAL  —  LAND  GIVEN  nv  NATHANIEL  CHICKERING  — 
FIRST  GRAVESTONE  —  HEARSE  —  IMPROVEMENT  AND 
ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  CEMETERY  —  FUNERAL  CUS- 
TOMS—  CARE  OF  CEMETERY  —  EI>ITAI>HS  —  NAMING  THE 
CEMETERY. 

Go  where  the  ancient  pathway  guides, 

See  where  our  sires  laid  down 
Their  smiling  babes,  their  cherished  brides, 

The  patriarchs  of  the  town. 
Hast  thou  a  tear  for  buried  love? 

A  sigli  for  transient  power? 
All  that  a  century  left  above. 

Go, —  read  it  in  an  hour. 

—  HOLMES. 

The  history  of  the  burial-place  where  "  the  rude  fore- 
fathers of  the  hamlet  sleep  "  should  not  go  unnoticed. 
Covering  a  period  of  more  than  a  century  and  a  half, 
"it  shows  what  a  graveyard  may  come  to  if  it  lasts  long 
enough." 

While  "pride,  pomp,  grief,  and  remembrance  are  all 
at  an  end  "  to  those  who  rest  beneath  its  sod,  let  us 
thank  God  that  it  is  a  spot  to  which  reverent  feet  stil! 
come,  and  in  which  the  tears  of  affection  still  fall. 

Farly  in  1700  a  determined  effort  was  made  by  the 
inhabitants  of  Dedham  outside  of  the  village  to  be 
freed  from  the  minister  tax  of  the  First  Parish  and 
allowed  to  build  meeting-houses  of  their  own. 

In  the  Springfield  Precinct  previous  to  1729-30  all 
burials  had  been  made  in  the  common  burial-ground 


CEMETERY  195 

at  Dedham,  and  this  practice  might  have  continued 
for  many  years  had  it  not  been  for  the  agitation  of 
separation. 

The  early  settlers,  who  through  labor,  privation,  and 
suffering  cleared  their  fields  and  established  new  homes, 
were  held  together  by  many  tender  ties  ;  and  when  they 
determined  to  take  a  step  they  held  closely  together. 
Having  been  refused  their  request  to  be  made  a  pre- 
cinct, burials  in  Dedham  were  no  longer  to  be  thought 
of  ;  and  in  this  determination  the  people  were  steadfast. 
On  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  John  Battle,  in  Febru- 
ary, 1729-30,  but  a  short  time  after  their  futile  efforts 
to  be  made  a  parish,  the  inhabitants  of  "  Springfield  " 
decided  to  cut  themselves  off  still  further  from  Dedham 
and  make  a  burial-place  of  their  own.  A  little  plot  of 
ground  was  enclosed  on  the  land  of  Nathaniel  Chicker- 
ing,  which  he  bequeathed  in  1746  to  the  precinct  in  the 
following  words  :  — 

1  give  and  bequeath  to  the  West  Precinct  of  the  town  of  Ded- 
ham the  burying-ground  as  it  lyeth  now  within  fence,  to  be  for  the 
use  of  the  said  precinct  for  a  burying-place. 

The  body,  then,  of  John  Battle  was  the  first  to  be 
placed  in  the  Springfield  Precinct  burial-ground.  He 
was  a  grandson  of  Thomas  Battle,  the  emigrant.  The 
burial-ground  is  first  mentioned  in  the  parish  records  in 
1759,  when  it  was  voted  "to  pay  Hezekiah  Allen,  Jr., 
his  charge  for  building  a  road  from  the  meeting-house 
to  the  burial-place."  In  1762  the  cemetery  was  en- 
larged by  vote  of  the  parish  to  eight  and  one-half  rods 
in  the  front,  and  three  years  later  the  plot  was  enclosed 
by  a  fence  on  three  sides  and  a  stone  wall  in  front. 


196  JIISTOKY    OF    DOVEK 

It  was  soon  furnished  with  a  gate,  as  the  records  of 
the  parish  show  that  in  1771  it  was  voted  "to  pay  for 
hooks-and-eyes  with  which  to  tie  the  burial-place  gate." 
Gravestones  were  not  at  first  set  up.  The  oldest 
stone  now  standing  —  a  rude  field-stone — bears  the 
following  inscription  :  — 

In 

Memory  of 

John  Wight  Son 

to  Mr.  David  and  Mrs. 

Sarah  Wight  who  died 

Oct.  Ye  4th, 

1734- 

In  ye  i  2th  year  of  his 
age. 

As  first  laid  out  the  burial-ground  contained  that  part 
of  the  present  cemetery  which  is  west  of  the  central 
path  and  extends  from  the  street  back  towards  the 
tombs.  Here  and  there  one  can  pick  out  the  names  of 
many  of  the  families  who  were  the  earliest  settlers  in 
the  town.  The  enlargement  in  1762  included  the  part 
east  of  the  central  path  and  adjoining  the  street.  At 
the  March  meeting  in  1785  Thomas  Richards  received 
permission  to  build  a  tomb  "  as  proposed  and  marked 
out."  This  tomb  has  been  for  many  years  without  care, 
and  is  at  present  marked  by  the  high  mound  east  of  the 
entrance  by  the  central  path,  and  is  designated  as  the 
grave  of  one  who  took  part  in  the  Revolution. 

All  the  early  residents  were  borne  to  the  burial- 
ground  on  a  bier,  over  which  was  thrown  the  parish 
burying-cloth,  or  pall,  which  was  purchased  by  vote  of 
the  parish  in  1754.  A  hearse  was  purchased  in  1804, 


CEMETERY  IQ7 

the  district  having  voted  "to  set  up  a  hearse  for  the 
convenience  of  funerals."  It  was  built  in  town  by 
Ebenezer  Smith  at  an  expense  of  one  hundred  dollars. 

A  hearse-house  was  built,  which  was  not  satisfactory 
in  its  location  ;  and  in  1828  John  Williams  received 
permission  to  remove  it  under  the  direction  of  the 
selectmen.  The  cemetery  having  been  recently  en- 
larged by  the  addition  of  nearly  one  acre  and  a  half  of 
land,  the  hearse-house  was  probably  at  that  time  placed 
in  its  present  position. 

There  was  probably  no  sexton  in  the  early  time.  The 
grave-digging  was  done  by  the  family.  John  Williams 
was  the  first  sexton  of  whom  we  have  any  record. 

In  1800  it  was  voted  to  procure  a  "new  burying- 
cloth,"  and  that  "  the  stone  wall  on  three  sides  of  the 
cemetery  be  taken  down  and  rebuilt." 

The  enlargement  of  the  cemetery  in  1826  was  made 
wholly  on  the  south  side.  The  land  was  given  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  on  condition  "  that  it  be  enclosed  with 
a  suitable  stone  wall,"  which  was  estimated  to  cost 
twenty-five  dollars  and  fifty  cents.  Granite  posts  were 
erected  in  1826,  and  gates  were  furnished  a  little  later. 
The  public  burial-ground  was  again  a  question  for  con- 
sideration in  1843,  and  it  was  voted  "that  citizens  have 
the  privilege  of  taking  up  lots  in  the  burying-ground  not 
to  exceed  twenty  feet  square."  Since  that  time  lots 
have  been  of  an  established  size  and  taken  by  deed. 
At  the  same  meeting  it  was  further  voted  to  lay  out 
paths  and  set  out  trees.  Elijah  Perry,  Calvin  Richards, 
and  Luther  Eastman  were  appointed  a  committee  "to 
beautify  and  improve  the  burial-grounds."  The  stately 
row  of  pine-trees  in  front  of  the  cemetery  was  set  out 


198  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

at  that  time,  together  with  other  trees  bordering  on  the 
paths  and  lots. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  in  the  care  of 
"  God's  acre,"  which  hitherto  had  been  allowed  to  grow 
up  to  weeds  and  grass  and  brush. 

Tombs  were  erected  previous  to  1825,  the  first  tomb 
having  been  built  by  Seth  Wight. 

With  the  appearance  of  a  bell  in  the  second  meeting- 
house in  1811,  the  custom  obtained  for  more  than 
a  half  century  of  announcing  deaths  by  the  tolling  of 
the  bell.  The  age  of  the  deceased  was  numbered  by 
the  strokes  of  the  bell.  Originally  the  bell  was  tolled 
on  the  occasion  of  the  death  of  all  residents  ;  but  after 
the  organization  of  other  churches  it  was  confined  to 
the  First  Parish,  and  the  practice  was  altogether  given 
up  about  1875. 

A  committee  chosen  in  November,  1841,  "to  inspect 
the  burying-ground  and  devise  a  plan  for  its  improve- 
ment," made  various  recommendations,  which  were  a 
little  later  carried  out  in  building  a  face  wall  ten  feet 
nearer  the  street  in  front,  in  constructing  a  circular 
road  and  walks  ten  feet  wide  from  gate  to  gate.  The 
grounds  were  laid  out  in  lots  of  uniform  size,  not  ex- 
ceeding twenty  feet  by  twenty,  and  a  record  of  all  sales 
kept  by  the  sexton.  The  citizens  were  invited  by  the 
committee  to  buy  lots,  make  paths,  and  set  trees.  A 
cemetery  committee  was  chosen,  and  it  was  made  their 
duty  to  make  an  annual  report  to  the  town.  Elijah 
Terry  was  chosen  sexton. 

An  appropriation  was  made  in  1843  to  meet  the 
expense  of  improvements  to  the  extent  of  one  hun- 
dred and  five  dollars  and  seventeen  cents.  The  com- 


CEMETERY  199 

tnittee  staked  out  fifty-eight  lots  sixteen  feet  by  six- 
teen, with  alleys  four  feet  by  two.  The  circular  road 
was  completed  in  1845,  and  new  gates  put  up.  At  the 
March  meeting  in  1846  the  cemetery  committee  re- 
ported that  they  had  contracted  for  a  hearse  —  "similar 
to  the  new  one  in  East  Needham,  except  that  it  be 
four  inches  longer"- — at  an  expense  of  one  hundred 
dollars.  In  1847  the  cemetery  committee  caused  the 
old  part  of  the  grounds  to  be  dug  over,  brush  and 
roots  removed,  and  to  be  seeded  down  to  grass.  April 
24,  1854,  the  town  instructed  the  selectmen  to  procure 
trees  and  to  set  them  out  in  the  cemetery. 

The  spirit  of  improvement  and  the  tender  care  of  the 
dead  was  again  manifested  in  1864,  when  the  town 
voted  to  enlarge  and  improve  the  cemetery.  An  appro- 
priation of  four  hundred  dollars  was  made  ;  and  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Calvin  Richards,  George  E.  Chick- 
ering,  and  Hiram  Jones  was  chosen  to  .carry  out  the 
wishes  of  the  town.  Mr.  Richards  retired  from  the 
committee,  and  Aaron  Bacon  was  added.  The  work 
was  taken  up  in  a  systematic  way,  a  survey  made  of  the 
land,  appropriate  lots  laid  out,  with  drives,  avenues,  and 
walks.  In  completing  their  work  the  committee  made 
some  excellent  recommendations  to  the  town  to  ensure 
the  further  improvement  of  the  cemetery  by  authorizing 
the  cemetery  committee  to  expend  each  year  all  moneys 
received  from  the  sale  of  lots  ;  and,  if  this  sum  was  not 
sufficient  to  keep  the  cemetery  in  good  condition,  they 
were  authorized  to  expend  an  amount  not  exceeding 
twenty  dollars.  They  further  recommended  that  all 
purchasers  of  lots  should  put  them  in  a  condition  satis- 
factory to  the  committee  within  six  months  or  forfeit 


200  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

all  title  to  the  same.  A  purchase  has  been  made  of 
additional  land  consisting  of  two  and  a  half  acres, 
which  has  not  yet  been  taken  into  the  enclosure.  In 
1891  an  appropriation  was  made  for  a  new  face  wall, 
which  was  set  up  during  the  following  year.  It  is  built 
of  Milford  granite,  and  is  a  fine  specimen  of  substantial 
masonry. 

This  old  cemetery  has  passed  through  all  stages  in 
the  evolution  of  funeral  customs  and  feelings  in  regard 
to  the  last  resting-place  of  the  dead.  At  first  burials 
were  doubtless  made  without  funerals,  as  was  the  early 
habit  of  the  people  ;  but,  as  the  custom  grew  of  having 
public  funerals,  they  became  universal  and  were  largely 
attended.  The  old  custom  of  furnishing  gloves  at 
funerals  is  illustrated  by  the  following  entry  made  by 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Townsend,  the  first  minister  of  Needham, 
on  the  margin  of  his  almanac:  —  "April  30,  1750.— 
Mr.  Tim.  Newell  had  of  me  for  ye  funeral  of  Kenj. 
Ellis,  Jr.,  of  (Springfield)  8  prs.  of  gloves  —  one  pair 
returned  May  10."  The  evolution  in  gravestones  and 
in  inscriptions  is  well  illustrated  in  this  burial-place.  At 
first  common  field-stones  were  set  up  with  the  simplest 
inscription.  Later  stones  were  embellished  with  the 
heads  of  cherubs.  These  home-made  stones  "  in  their 
rude  simplicity  are  very  eloquent,  since  you  can  but 
picture  to  yourself  the  survivor  in  a  solitary  home,  work- 
ing slowly  and  patiently  to  carve  the  gravestone  of  the 
lamented  dead." 

These  field-stones  in  time  gave  place  to  slate,  which 
were  followed  by  marble  slabs.  Later  towering  marble 
monuments  were  erected,  which  in  later  years  have 
given  place  to  more  solid  granite  monuments. 


CEMETERY  2OI 

There  are  few  quaint  inscriptions  on  the  gravestones, 
but  there  are  many  original  epitaphs  which  speak  of 
the  faith,  the  hope,  the  trust  of  succeeding  generations  ; 
and,  of  course,  that  quaint  epitaph  which,  in  slightly 
varied  forms,  has  attracted  the  eye  and  not  irreverently 
amused  the  mind  of  many  visitors  to  both  European 
and  American  cemeteries,  appears  in  this  one.  It  is 
found  on  the  gravestone  of  Samuel  Metcalf,  who  died 
in  1772,  and  adds  another  to  the  almost  endless  varia- 
tion showed  in  expressing  the  same  sentiment :  — 

'•  Stop  here,  my  Friend,  and  Cast  an  Eye 
as  you  are  now  so  Once  was  I. 
as  I  am  now  so  you  must  be 
Prepare  for  Death  and  follow  me." 

The  burial-place  has  been  gradually  developed  in  the 
course  of  a  century  and  a  half  from  a  little  neglected 
spot,  overgrown  with  grass,  weeds,  and  brush,  into  an 
attractive  cemetery,  which  is  under  the  watchful  super- 
vising interest  of  the  inhabitants  generally  and  the 
particular  care  of  a  board  of  cemetery  commissioners. 
The  enclosure  has  been  named  Highland  Cemetery. 

In  all  of  the  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  years  of  its 
existence  the  old  burying-ground  has  never  been  en- 
croached upon,  or  the  last  resting-place  of  the  fathers 
disturbed.  It  is  believed  that,  in  excavations  that 
have  been  made  in  the  vicinity,  no  mortuary  relics  have 
ever  been  brought  to  view.  Neglected  it  often  has 
been  ;  and,  perhaps,  in  the  early  time,  like  English 
churchyards,  it  was  used  for  pasture  purposes,  but 
desecrated  never.  No  record  has  been  kept  of  the 
number  of  burials  in  the  enclosure ;  and  it  must  be 


202  JIISTOKY    OF   DOVER 

found  "  in  the  register  of  God,  not  in  the  record 
of  man."  Shall  we  not  cherish  the  spot  where,  one 
by  one,  at  the  call  of  the  grim  messenger,  have  been 
buried  the  young  and  the  old,  the  loveliest,  the  hum- 
blest, and  the  proudest  of  those  who  have  dwelt  within 
the  confines  of  what  we  call  home  ? 

For  more  than  a  century  the  first  settlers  have  been 
but  a  memory.  The  grave  even  of  the  first  minister  is 
unknown  to  many  of  the  merry  children  who  pass  it 
daily  on  their  way  to  school.  Until  within  a  very  brief 
period  the  graves  of  Revolutionary  officers  and  privates, 
as  well  as  soldiers  in  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain 
and  in  the  late  Rebellion,  were  alike  unmarked.  But 
now  on  each  recurring  Memorial  Day  the  members  of 
the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  place  flowrers  over  the 
silent  dust  of  both  the  makers  and  defenders  of  the 
nation.  In  the  years  that  have  passed,  "  on  how  many 
hundred  hearts  has  fallen  the  sound  of  the  dropping  clay 
upon  the  coffin-lid  !  What  floods  of  parental  tears  have 
moistened  that  soil,  for  babes  torn  away  from  supporting 
arms,  or  sons  and  daughters  cut  off  in  youth's  bright 
hour  of  promise  !  Parents  lamented,  lovers  parted,  wives 
and  husbands  sundered, —  all  the  sad  possibilities  of 
grief  and  separation  have  hundreds  of  times  been 
experienced  within  those  narrow  precincts." 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

SCHOOLS. 

FIRST  SCHOOLHOUSE  —  DAME  SCHOOL  —  APPROPRIATION  FOR 
SCHOOLS  —  FIRST  WOMAN  TEACHER  —  NEW  ENGLAND 
PRIMER — -REQUIRED  STUDIES  —  NEW  SCHOOLHOUSE  — 
SCHOOL  COMMITTEE  —  SUPERINTENDENT  —  FIRST  FREE 
BOOK — CENTER  SCHOOL  —  SANGER  SCHOOL  —  ORGANI- 
ZATION OF  HIGH  SCHOOL  —  EAST  SCHOOL  —  WEST 
SCHOOL  —  THE  SOUTH  DISTRICT — NORTH  SCHOOL  — 
SCHOOL  LIBRARIES  —  COLLEGE  GRADUATES. 

Still  sits  the  schoolhouse  by  the  road, 

A  ragged  beggar  sunning  ; 
Around  it  still  the  sumachs  grow, 

And  blackberry  vines  are  running. 

—  WHITTIER. 

Dedham  was  perhaps  the  first  colonial  town  to  estab- 
lish a  free  school  supported  by  general  taxation.  In 
1644  the  town  set  up  a  free  school,  built  a  schoolhouse, 
and  supported  the  school  by  a  general  tax.  Other 
schools  had  been  established  in  Massachusetts,  but 
none  were  wholly  supported  by  taxation.  The  Dedham 
school  was  practical  from  the  start,  and  gave  elementary 
instruction  in  English,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  The 
instruction  in  penmanship  was  thorough,  and  included 
the  art  of  making  and  mending  quill-pens. 

After  the  first  settlers  had  passed  away,  the  cause  of 
education  languished  for  a  time  ;  but  a  thorough  study 
of  the  town  records  shows  that  this  period  was  not  of 
long  duration.  It  is  impossible  to  determine  just  when 


204  HISTORY    OF    DOl'ER 

the  first  school  was  opened  in  the  Springfield  Parish. 
Before  even  the  precinct  was  formed,  the  scattered 
settlers  demanded  school  privileges  for  their  children. 

There  was  a  genuine  dame  school  located  on  Main 
Street,  near  the  residence  of  H.  R.  Stevens,  which  may 
have  been  the  first  school.  These  early  dame  schools 
are  of  interest,  where  the  dame,  busy  with  sewing,  knit- 
ting, or  weaving,  taught  the  little  children  their  letters 
and  told  them  stories  from  the  Bible. 

'•  Her  room  is  small,  they  cannot  widely  stray  ; 
Her  threshold  high,  they  cannot  run  away. 
With  bands  of  yarn  she  keeps  offenders  in, 
And  to  her  gown  the  sturdiest  rogue  can  pin." 

The  dame  school  appeals  to  our  imagination,  and  shows 
the  earliest  of  many  steps  from  which  the  present 
school  system  has  been  evolved. 

The  demand  for  schools  was  met  by  the  town  for 
many  years  in  the  "  moving  school,"  which  was  kept  by 
a  master  for  a  few  weeks  in  different  parts  of  the  town, 
as  appointed  by  the  selectmen.  Small  schoolhouses 
were  sometimes  erected  by  individuals.  The  earliest 
Dover  records  show  the  existence  of  such  a  schoolhouse, 
which  was  situated  on  Haven  Street,  not  far  from  the 
house  of  George  Ellis  Chickering.  It  was  a  peculiarity 
of  these  early  schools  that  the  boys  were  obliged  to 
furnish  the  wood  in  winter  ;  and,  if  the  parents  sent  logs 
too  large  to  be  used  in  the  open  fireplaces,  the  boys  had 
to  cut  them  up. 

The  first  separate  appropriation  for  schools  in  the 
Springfield  Precinct  was  made  by  the  town  of  Dedham 
in  1726,  when  it  appropriated  five  pounds  to  support 


SCHOOLS  205 

a  school  in  the  "westerly  part  of  Dedham."  Eleazer 
Ellis  and  Nathaniel  Chickering  were  appointed  to  see 
that  the  money  was  properly  expended.  The  first 
schoolhouse  was  probably  in  existence  at  this  time. 
The  precinct  made  the  repairs  to  the  building, 
although  owned  by  individuals,  as  Timothy  Ellis  was 
paid  "  "js.  4(f."  for  mending  the  windows  in  1758.  In 
1738  one  eighth  of  the  appropriation  for  schools  in  Ded- 
ham was  given  to  the  Springfield  Precinct,  amounting 
to  ten  pounds.  An  equal  appropriation  was  made  in 
1743.  Little  is  known  of  the  early  schoolmasters,  as 
their  names  are  not  given  in  the  parish  records.  They 
were  probably  for  the  most  part  Harvard  students, 
many  of  whom  were  capable  of  impressing  their  person- 
ality on  the  lives  of  their  pupils.  In  this  age  of 
progress,  when  we  have  come  to  recognize  the  worth 
and  work  of  woman,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  that  the 
first  woman  teacher  paid  by  the  town  of  Dedham  for 
teaching  was  Miss  Mary  Green,  who  taught  in  the 
Springfield  Precinct  in  1757.  The  first  teacher  of 
whom  we  have  any  record  was  William  Symmes. 
Closing  his  engagement  here,  he  became  a  tutor  at 
Harvard  College.  Mr.  Symmes  taught  here  during  the 
winter  of  1754-55. 

The  New  England  primer,  which  was  in  universal  use 
at  this  time,  may  be  contrasted  with  our  beautifully 
illustrated  and  graded  primers  of  to-day.  It  is  thus 
described  by  George  H.  Martin,  who  has  made  the  early 
schools  of  Massachusetts  a  careful  study.  It  began 
with  the  alphabet,  large  and  small,  the  vowels  and 
consonants,  and  combinations  of  these.  Then  followed 
lists  of  words  for  spelling, —  first  of  two  syllables,  then 


206  HISTORY    OF   DOl'l'.K 

of  three,  then  of  four,  then  of  five,  ending  with  "abomi- 
nation," "justification,"  etc.  Then  followed  some  moral 
injunctions:  "Pray  to  God,"  "Hate  Lies";  then  some 
Bible  questions  and  answers,  "  Who  was  the  first 
man  ? "  then  selections  from  the  Proverbs,  arranged 
alphabetically,  "A  wise  son,"  etc.  ;  then  the  Lord's 
Prayer,  the  Apostles'  Creed,  Watts's  Cradle  Hymn  ; 
then  miscellaneous  hymns,  "Now  I  lay  me,"  etc. 
Proper  names  of  men  and  women  for  spelling  followed  ; 
then  Agur's  Prayer,  "  Give  me  neither  poverty  nor 
riches  "  ;  last,  the  Westminster  Shorter  Catechism,  so- 
called. 

Each  edition  had  a  series  of  cuts  illustrating  promi- 
nent Bible  scenes,  each  with  a  couplet  condensing  the 

narrative,  as  :  — 

'•  In  Adam's  fall 
We  sinned  all." 

The  practical  selections  and  pictures  varied  in  differ- 
ent editions.  The  front  picture  in  some  was  a  child 
repeating  his  evening  prayer  at  his  mother's  knee,  in 
others  several  children  standing  before  the  mother, 
while  still  another  represented  a  school, —  a  dame 
school. 

Arithmetic,  the  English  language,  and  orthography 
were  made  compulsory  studies  in  1789.  Geography 
was  not  made  a  required  study  until  1827. 

As  a  disciplinary  study  arithmetic  was  made  very 
prominent  in  the  early  schools.  The  solutions  of  prob- 
lems were  carefully  written  out  in  blank-books.  Some 
carefully  preserved  manuscript  copies  show  great  ability 
in  solving  intricate  problems,  fine  penmanship,  and  a 
decree  of  neatness  which  it  would  be  hard  to  excel. 


SCHOOLS  207 

The    "  Rule    of    Three "    was    made    very    prominent. 
Among     the     different     subjects    were    "Fellowship," 
"Barter,"    "Tare,"    and    "Tret."     Girls    were    not    ex- 
pected to  cipher   much    beyond    the  four  fundamental 
rules.     Many  rules  were  given  in  the  arithmetic  of  this 
period,  but  no  reasons  for  any  of  the  processes.     The 
pupils  followed  their  rules,  and  performed  their  problems 
as  if  by  magic.      A  new  era  in  teaching  was  introduced 
in  the  publication  of  Warren  Colburn's  "  First  Lessons," 
which  called  for  the  exercise  of  reason  in  solving  prob- 
lems.     In   1761  the  parish  had  completed  its  meeting- 
house, and  was  now  anxious  to  gain  better  school  facili- 
ties   by    placing    the    schoolhouse    in    a   more    central 
position.     The  warrant  for  the  March  meeting  in  1761 
contained  an  article  to  see  if  the  precinct  would  move 
the  schoolhouse  to  a  more  convenient  place,  near  the 
meeting-house.       In    case    the    proprietors    refused    to 
allow  the  schoolhouse  to  be  moved,  the  precinct  was 
to  consider  the  proposition  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse 
and  to  choose  a  committee  for  the  same.     Some  of  the 
proprietors   refused   to   give  their   consent,   and   at   the 
March   meeting  in    1762    it    was   voted  to  build  a  new 
schoolhouse   next  to  the  meeting-house.     There  seems 
to  have  been  some  difficulty  in  locating  the  building,  as 
the  spot  was  not  designated  ;  and  at  the  annual  March 
meeting  in   1763  the  precinct  was   asked  to  locate  the 
spot,    and    at    an    adjourned    meeting   held    March    21, 
1763,  it  voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse  opposite  to 
"ye    north    side    of    ye    meeting-house."      The    school- 
house  was  built  on  a  lot  of  land  four  rods  square,  which 
was   given  for  the  purpose  by  Dea.   Joshua  Ellis,  who 
thus  defines  the  bounds  :  "  The  southerly  line  of  ye  said 


208  HJ STORY    OF   DOVER 

square  to  bound  south  on  the  highway  that  leads  by  the 
north  side  of  the  meeting-house." 

Daniel  Chickering,  Asa  Mason,  and  Jonathan  Whit- 
ing, Jr.,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  prepare  material 
and  gain  authority  from  the  General  Court  to  build  a 
schoolhouse.  Col.  John  Jones,  Daniel  Chickering,  and 
Hezekiah  Allen,  Jr.,  were  chosen  a  committee  to  ar- 
range with  the  town  of  Dedham  for  the  proportion  of 
school  money  which  belonged  to  the  Springfield  Pre- 
cinct, and  to  appropriate  the  sum  towards  the  building 
of  a  new  schoolhouse.  The  schoolhouse  was  com- 
pleted and  accepted  by  the  precinct  January  20,  1764. 
It  cost  ^54,  6s.,  4d. 

In  1766  it  was  voted  to  divide  the  school  money,  the 
different  sections  of  the  precinct  to  draw  their  propor- 
tional part.  The  precinct  seems  to  have  been  divided 
into  four  distinct  districts, —  the  Center,  the  East,  the 
West,  and  the  Southwest.  This  division  into  school 
districts  was  some  years  in  advance  of  State  legislation, 
which  sanctioned  such  a  division  in  1789,  but  did  not 
give  the  school  district  the  power  to  tax  until  1800.  In 
this  year  districts  were  authorized  to  hold  meetings,  to 
choose  a  clerk  to  decide  upon  schoolhouse  sites,  to  raise 
money  by  taxation,  to  pay  for  land  and  building,  furnish- 
ing, or  repairing  schoolhouses.  In  1817  the  school  dis- 
trict was  made  a  corporation,  and  in  1827  was  required 
to  choose  a  prudential  committee,  who  had  the  care  of 
school  property  in  the  district  and  the  selection  and 
employment  of  the  teacher.  The  school  district  now 
became  a  political  institution  and  worthy  of  careful 
consideration  in  the  study  of  civil  government. 

The   teacher,  although    employed    by  the   prudential 


SCHOOLS  209 

committee-man,  must  present  a  certificate  of  qualifica- 
tion from  the  town  committee  before  opening  the 
school.  All  the  money  for  school  purposes  was  still 
raised  by  the  town,  the  district  being  responsible  only 
for  its  expenditure.  The  division  of  school  money  was 
often  a  perplexing  question.  Sometimes  the  district 
drew  its  proportional  part  of  the  school  money  by  the 
scholar,  but  for  the  most  part  it  was  divided  in  propor- 
tion as  each  district  paid  taxes  for  the  support  of  schools. 

In  1818  it  was  voted  "that,  after  deducting  the 
money  paid  for  children  who  attend  other  schools,  the 
Center  District  shall  have  three-sevenths,  and  the  East 
and  West  Schools  four-sevenths,  of  the  money  remain- 
ing." In  the  development  of  the  school  system,  the 
itinerant  schoolmaster  and  the  dame  school  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  school  year  divided  into  two  terms, —  a  long 
winter  term,  and  a  short  summer  term  which  continued 
into  August.  The  school  year  of  twenty-eight  weeks 
was  divided  into  three  terms  in  1869.  The  school  year 
has  been  gradually  increased  until  now  it  consists  of 
thirty-eight  weeks. 

The  frugality  of  the  people  is  illustrated  in  the  selec- 
tion of  sites  for  the  schoolhouses.  The  Center  District 
kept  its  schoolhouse  for  many  years  on  the  public  com- 
mon. The  West  schoolhouse  was  set  on  a  worthless 
knoll  near  the  geographical  center  of  the  district,  while 
the  Union  schoolhouse  was  built  at  the  junction  of 
several  roads,  on  a  little  piece  of  worthless  land. 

In  March,  1774,  the  precinct  voted  to  build  three 
new  schoolhouses  at  an  expense  of  fifty-five  pounds  ; 
but  in  April  of  the  same  year  the  vote  was  rescinded, 
probably  on  account  of  the  times,  which  were  very 


210  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

threatening  and  promised  war.  The  precinct  in  1781 
again  considered  the  subject  of  providing  schoolhouses 
for  the  outside  districts,  but  voted  to  postpone  the 
building  of  new  schoolhouses.  We  do  not  wonder  at 
this,  as  they  had  been  so  heavily  taxed  to  meet  the 
expenses  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  only  gift 
of  money  which  has  ever  come  to  the  schools  was 
made  in  1789  by  Dea.  Joseph  Haven,  who  presented 
the  parish  with  ,£13,  6s.,  Srf.  Instead  of  making  it  a 
fund  the  parish  voted  to  take  five  pounds  a  year  until  it 
was  spent.  The  district  desired  to  have  charge  of  its 
school  buildings,  and  in  1790  voted  to  take  possession  of 
all  its  schoolhouses. 

The  district  voted  in  1807  to  choose  a  committee  to 
define  the  limits  of  the  school  districts.  The  Tisdales 
and  Simeon  Cheney  \vere  permitted  to  send  their  chil- 
dren to  the  westerly  part  of  Dedham  ;  Israel  Loring, 
Samuel  Perry,  and  Jacob  Marshall,  to  the  First  School 
in  Natick  ;  and  Eleazer  Allen  and  Jesse  Newell,  to  the 
North  School  in  Medfield. 

In  1825,  to  meet  the  requirements  of  law,  the  district 
voted  "that  a  committee  of  freeholders  be  chosen  in 
each  school  district  annually.  Said  committee  with  the 
clergyman  of  the  town  shall  assemble  as  often  as  they 
shall  think  necessary,  to  counsel  on  the  best  methods  of 
instruction  for  each  particular  school,  to  provide  a  suit- 
able instructor,  and  to  examine  and  recommend  such 
books  and  regulations  as  they  may  from  time  to  time 
think  proper." 

The  first  board  of  school  committee  was  chosen  in 
1826,  and  consisted  of  the  Rev.  Ralph  Sanger,  Noah 
Fiske,  and  Dea.  Kphraim  Wilson.  The  first  school 


SCHOOLS  2  1 1 

report  was  made  to,  the  town  in  1844.  The  school 
report  was  printed  for  the  first  time  in  1851,  and  has 
been  printed  annually  since  with  but  one  exception. 

In  April,  1865,  the  town  voted  to  place  the  schools  in 
charge  of  a  superintendent,  to  be  chosen  by  the  school 
committee,  at  a  salary  of  twenty-two  dollars  a  year. 
The  plan  worked  so  wrell  that  since  that  time  the 
schools  have  been  in  charge  of  a  superintendent.  In 
the  date  of  its  appointment  Dover  was  among  the  first 
of  the  smaller  towns  in  the  Commonwealth  to  elect  a 
superintendent  -of.  schools.  The  first  free  books  seem 
to  have  been  furnished  in  1828,  when  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Sanger  was  paid  three  dollars  and  seventy-three  cents 
for  books  furnished  to  pupils.  It  was  voted  in  1865  to 
furnish  school-books  at  cost,  the  town  paying  an  agent 
ten  dollars  a  year  for  supplying  the  pupils.  This  cus- 
tom \vas  continued  until  the  introduction  of  free  text- 
books in  1884. 

The  children  were  trained  to  work  in  school,  and  both 
the  boys  and  girls  were  taught  to  sew,  and  some  to 
braid  straw.  The  introduction,  therefore,  of  sewing  into 
schools  is  nothing  new,  but  really  a  very  old  custom. 

The  location  of  the  Center  schoolhouse  was  thought 
to  endanger  the  new  meeting-house,  so  a  committee  was 
chosen  in  1811  to  move  the  schoolhouse;  and  it  was 
voted  "that  the.  house  should  stand  on  the  district 
land  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  land  of  John 
Williams,  to  stand  so  as  to  have  the  south  side  of  said 
building  in  a  range  with  the  fence  on  the  south  line  of 
said  Williams's  land."  There  was  an  effort  made  in 
1817  to  have  the  district  build  a  new  schoolhouse  at  the 
Center  ;  but  this  troublesome  question  \vas  settled  by 


212  HISTORY    OF    DOVEK 

the  vote  "  that  each  school  district  shall  build  or  repair 
its  own  schoolhouses." 

In  1824  the  district  was  anxious  to  displace  its  old 
and  dilapidated  schoolhouse  with  a  new  one,  not  only  of 
larger  proportions,  but  two  stories  in  height,  the  second 
story  to  be  used  for  hall  purposes  ;  and  a  vote  to  build 
such  a  schoolhouse  was  passed  by  the  district.  Later 
this  vote  was  reconsidered,  and  it  was  voted  to  build  a 
schoolhouse  one  story  high.  The  committee  did  not 
proceed  to  build;  and  in  1825  a  committee  chosen  to 
consider  the  matter  recommended  that  a  schoolhouse 
one  story  in  height  be  built,  "  that  if  individuals  will 
propose  and  agree  to  add  a  second  story  of  eight  feet  in 
height  at  their  own  cost  and  expense,  by  their  being 
possessed  of  the  exclusive  right  of  improvements,  of 
rents  and  profits  of  the  same,  etc.,  we  likewise  rec- 
ommend that  they  may  have  liberty  so  to  build  said 
second  story."  No  propositions  having  been  received 
from  individuals,  the  old  building  was  occupied  until  a 
new  one  was  built,  in  1827.  The  district  petitioned  in 
1824  for  the  improvement  of  a  piece  of  common  land 
containing  a  quarter  of  an  acre,  "  for  the  purpose  of 
erecting  a  schoolhouse  with  sufficient  yard  room." 

This  request  was  granted  by  the  district  of  Dover, 
and  bounds  were  established  as  follows  :  "  to  stand  on 
land  now  owned  by  Aaron  Whiting,  at  or  near  the  turn 
of  his  fence,  a  few  rods  southeast  from  land  owned  by 
the  Center  School  district,  and  adjoining  land  or  near 
the  west  end  of  land  owned  by  the  heirs  of  Samuel 
Fisher." 

The  new  schoolhouse  was  thirty-one  and  one-half  feet 
long,  twenty-four  feet  wide,  and  nine  feet  high.  In 


SCHOOLS  2  1 3 

winter  it  often  accommodated  ninety  scholars.  In  this 
building  the  old-time  fireplace  gave  way  to  a  Franklin 
stove,  which  was  considered  a  great  improvement.  The 
seats  were  arranged  in  long  rows  across  the  room  in 
terraces,  and  those  in  the  back  seats  overlooked  all  in 
front. 

In  1855  the  district  voted  to  move  the  schoolhouse  to 
the  common  ;  and  there  it  remained  until  1873,  when  the 
town  purchased  the  property  adjoining  the  southeast 
side  of  the  common  on  Center  Street,  and  the  school- 
house  was  moved  to  the  newly  purchased  lot.  The 
building  was  somewhat  improved  at  this  time,  and  was 
occupied  until  January,  1888. 

School  districts  were  abolished  by  the  General  Court 
in  1 869.  The  school  property  in  Dover  was  appraised 
by  Solomon  Flagg,  of  Wellesley  ;  Thomas  Phillips,  of 
Natick ;  and  Nathan  Phillips,  of  Dedham.  The  East 
District  had  the  most  valuable  property,  which  was 
appraised  at  seven  hundred  and  twenty-seven  dollars. 

The  school  property  at  this  time  was  in  a  bad  condi- 
tion, the  aggregate  valuation  amounting  to  only  two 
thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

The  first  public  graduating  exercises  were  held  in 
1876.  A  class  of  four  girls  received  diplomas,  which 
were  presented  by  the  Rev.  Warren  H.  Cudworth,  of 
Boston,  with  exercises  in  the  First  Parish  church. 

Singing  was  introduced  into  the  schools  with  a  special 
teacher  in  1887,  followed  by  the  introduction  of  drawing 
in  1896. 

The  Sanger  schoolhouse  was  built  after  plans  fur- 
nished by  Messrs.  Allen  &  Ken  way,  of  Boston.  The 
building  in  the  main  is  modelled  after  plans  issued 


214  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

by  the  United  States  government  as  a  model  country 
schoolhouse. 

While  its  architectural  proportions  are  good,  it  is 
unusually  well-adapted  to  school  work,  being  exception- 
ally well  lighted,  heated,  and  ventilated.  The  building 
was  named  the  "  Sanger  School  "  in  memory  of  the  Rev. 
Ralph  Sanger,  D.D.,  who  had  charge  of  the  Dover 
schools  for  so  many  years.  At  the  distance  of  more 
than  a  half  century  we  may  turn  back  and  read  Dr. 
Sanger's  words  in  reference  to  his  long  labors  for  the 
cause  of  public-school  education  :  — 

I  have  earnestly  desired  that  our  schools  might  be  so  improved 
that  every  child  in  our  highly  favored  country  may  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  learning,  in  these  invaluable  seminaries,  all  the  ele- 
ments of  useful  knowledge,  and  thus  be  prepared  to  discharge 
incumbent  duties  with  propriety,  satisfaction,  and  honor.  Persons 
thus  instructed  in  our  common  schools  will  be  enabled,  and  it  may 
be  hoped,  disposed,  when  they  leave  school,  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  education  still  further,  to  read,  study,  examine,  judge,  decide, 
and  act  for  themselves. 

There  would  then  be  a  community  of  intelligent,  well-informed 
members.  And.  if  such  persons  should  at  the  same  time  have 
suitable  attention  paid  to  their  moral  and  religious  education, 
then  the  community  would  consist  of  virtuous  as  well  as  of  in- 
telligent members.  A  virtuous  and  intelligent  community  would 
rightly  understand,  appreciate,  improve,  and  transmit  the  precious 
privileges  which  an  indulgent  Providence  has  made  it  our  happy 
lot  to  enjoy.  I  have  earnestly  wished  that  our  common  schools 
might  be  so  improved  as  to  do  their  part  towards  accomplishing 
this  desirable  purpose,  that  thus,  according  to  the  beautiful 
language  of  the  Psalmist.  "  Our  sons  may  be  as  plants  grown 
up  in  their  youth:  that  our  daughters  may  be  as  corner-stones, 
polished  after  the  similitude  of  a  palace."  Oh.  who  would  not  be 
willing  to  labor  and  toil  for  such  a  glorious  object?  And  labor 
and  toil  are  in  no  small  degree  required  for  this  purpose. 


SCHOOLS  215 

But  what  good  can  ever  be  gained  without  labor  and  pains? 
This  is  the  condition  upon  which  all  improvement  is  made.  This 
is  the  condition  upon  which  all  good  is  procured.  This  is  the 
price  which  must  be  paid  for  it.  We  must  be  willing  to  pay  the 
price,  or  we  cannot  expect  to  gain  the  good.  I  have,  therefore, 
most  readily  and  with  great  pleasure,  done  what  little  I  could 
to  encourage  our  schools,  and  in  any  suitable  way  and  by  any 
suitable  means  to  promote  the  cause  of  good  education  here 
and  in  all  places  by  exciting  a  taste  for  reading  and  intellectual 
improvement. 

Dr.  Sanger  early  saw  that  a  perfect  system  of  public- 
school  education  —  beginning  in  the  elementary  school 
-  must  culminate  with  the  free  public  library.     Con- 
cerning this  he  said  :  — 

I  have  considered  it  very  desirable  to  encourage  in  the  com- 
munity around  me  a  love  of  useful  reading.  For  this  purpose 
I  have  lent  books  of  my  own,  for  this  purpose  I  have  encouraged 
and  taken  care  of  a  library,  consisting  now  of  more  than  seven 
hundred  volumes,  some  of  them  works  of  standard  merit. 

The  Sanger  schoolhouse  was  dedicated  on  Wednes- 
day, January  25,  1888.  The  report  of  the  building- 
committee  was  made  by  Eben  Higgins.  The  keys  were 
presented  by  the  Rev.  A.  E.  Battelle  and  accepted  by 
Frank  Smith,  superintendent  of  schools. 

Addresses  were  made  by  the  Hon.  George  P.  Sanger, 
of  Boston,  and  George  H.  Walton,  of  Xewton,  who 
represented  the  State  Board  of  Education.  The  dedi- 
catory prayer  was  by  the  Rev.  A.  M.  Rice,  and  the 
benediction  by  the  Rev.  T.  S.  Norton. 

Repeated  efforts  were  made  from  time  to  time  to 
have  the  town  pay  the  tuition  of  pupils  in  surround- 
ing high  schools,  but  the  proposition  always  failed.  In 


2l6  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

the  division  of  the  Sanger  School  in  1888  a  high- 
school  course  was  introduced,  which  has  since  been 
maintained,  giving  the  boys  and  the  girls  of  the  town  an 
opportunity  to  take  an  English  high-school  course  or 
fit  at  home  for  the  Massachusetts  Agricultural  College 
and  the  several  State  normal  schools. 

The  East  School  was  formed  and  schoolhouse  built  by 
vote  of  the  district  of  Dover,  April  6,  1785.  An  appro- 
priation of  twenty-five  pounds  was  made,  and  it  was 
voted  "that,  if  this  sum  is  not  sufficient  to  erect  the 
schoolhouse,  the  balance  must  be  raised  by  the  school 
district."  The  schoolhouse  was  located  nearly  opposite 
the  house  of  John  Cummings. 

We  find  women  teachers  in  the  East  and  West  Dis- 
tricts in  the  summer  term  soon  after  their  organization. 
Mrs.  Paul  Whiting  was  paid  £2,  8s.  in  1790,  for  teach- 
ing the  East  School  during  the  summer. 

The  present  schoolhouse  was  built  in  1850.  The 
district  did  a  noble  work  in  adorning  the  grounds  with  a 
variety  of  native  trees,  and  in  their  growth  and  beauty 
there  is  an  object-lesson  for  all. 

The  West  School  was  established  and  an  appropria- 
tion made  for  building  the  schoolhouse  at  the  same 
meeting,  April  6,  1785,  and  by  the  same  vote  as  that 
which  created  the  East  School. 

The  first  school  was  built  near  the  residence  of 
Warren  Blackman,  and  was  twenty  feet  long  and  six- 
teen feet  wide.  This  was  a  typical  eighteenth  century 
schoolhouse  with  its  huge  fireplace  and  "back  seat," 
which  was  built  against  the  wall  of  the  room  on  three 
sides,  with  a  slanting  shelf.  In  front  on  another  lower 
bench  were  seated  the  younger  pupils  who  did  not  write. 


SCHOOLS  2  i  7 

In  the  center  of  the  hollow  square  the  classes  stood  for 
recitation.  The  teacher's  desk  was  placed  on  the  side 
with  the  door  and  fireplace. 

In  1841  the  town  voted  to  build  a  new  schoolhouse  at 
an  expense  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  The  site 
selected  was  on  Farm  Street,  not  far  from  the  present 
schoolhouse.  The  committee  chosen  to  report  on  the 
matter  of  building  this  schoolhouse  said  of  the  old  one  : 
"  The  ceiling  of  the  schoolhouse  is  so  low  where  the 
seats  and  writing-desks  are  located  that  middling-sized 
persons  cannot  stand  erect."  This  school  was  attended 
for  many  years  by  children  from  the  easterly  part  of 
Sherborn  and  Natick. 

We  find  that  Miss  Sally  Fiske  taught  this  school  in 
summer  for  seventy-five  cents  a  week  and  her  board. 

The  present  convenient  and  pleasant  schoolhouse  was 
built  in  1870  at  an  expense  of  two  thousand  dollars. 

The  South  District  was  organized  in  1766,  but  no 
schoolhouse  was  ever  built,  the  children  attending  the 
school  at  Walpole  Corner  from  the  first. 

The  consolidation  of  schools  has  been  several  times 
attempted,  the  earliest  effort  being  made  in  1870,  when 
a  committee  was  chosen  "to  consider  the  subject  of 
uniting  the  schools,  and  to  look  over  the  whole  ground, 
take  into  consideration  the  present  and  prospective 
wants  of  the  different  sections  of  the  town,  and  present 
a  plan  which  shall  embrace  the  number  and  location  of 
the  schools  to  be  supported,  and  the  style  and  character 
of  the  schoolhouses  to  be  provided,  either  by  repairing 
the  old  or  erecting  new  ones,  and  the  probable  cost  of 
each,  having  regard  in  each  case  to  the  convenience  of 
the  neighborhood  and  the  good  of  the  whole  town." 


2i8  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Although  the  time  of  the  committee  for  the  consider- 
ation of  the  matter  was  extended,  no  plan  was  matured  ; 
and  in  1871  the  committee  was  excused  from  further 
service.  The  plan  of  closing  the  outside  schools  and 
transferring  the  pupils  to  the  Sanger  School  was  advo- 
cated in  1888,  but  was  not  fully  carried  out.  The  town 
refused  in  1892  to  close  the  North  and  West  Schools, 
and  since  that  time  there  has  been  no  discussion  of  the 
subj  ect. 

In  1 789  the  South  District  received  its  proportional 
part  of  the  money  appropriated  for  schools,  and  in 
1790  the  residents  were  paid  what  they  had  contrib- 
uted towards  building  a  schoolhouse  and  purchasing 
the  land  where,  their  children  attended  school. 

In  1807  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  undertook  to  define 
the  limits  of  their  school  districts  ;  but,  as  all  the  resi- 
dents were  not  included  in  those  districts,  the  Supreme 
Court  decided  that  they  were  illegally  formed. 

The  South  District  was  formed  by  a  vote  of  the  town 
in  1838.  In  1864  the  district  voted  to  unite  with  Dis- 
trict No.  10  in  Declham  and  Bubbling  Brook  District 
in  YValpole  for  a  union  school.  This  union  was  ac- 
cepted by  the  town  of  Dover  in  1865,  and  continued 
until  the  burning  of  the  schoolhouse  in  the  fall  of  1893. 

In  1841,  the  Center  District  being  much  crowded,  it 
was  voted  to  organize  the  West  Center  School. 

The  residents  of  this  new  district  immediately  voted 
to  build  a  schoolhouse,  and  appropriated  five  hundred 
dollars.  There  was  much  difficulty  in  locating  the 
sqhoolhouse ;  and,  after  rejecting  several  sites,  one  of 
\vhich  was  chosen  by  the  selectmen,  the  district  voted 
to  accept  a  gift  of  land  from  George  Cleveland,  and 
the  schoolhouse  was  built  thereon. 


SCHOOLS  219 

About  1850  the  schools  were  all  supplied  with  maps 
and  charts,  the  town  having  voted  "  to  pay  each  school 
district  eight  dollars  which  should  raise  a  like  amount 
for  the  purchase  of  maps  and  charts  and  apparatus." 

The  name  of  this  school  was  changed  to  North  Dis- 
trict in  1846.  The  schoolhouse  was  repaired  in  1861 
and  furnished  with  modern  seats  in  place  of  benches. 
The  grounds  were  enlarged  in  1865  to  nine  rods  square 
by  gift  of  land  by  Eugene  Batchelder,  on  condition  that 
the  district  build  a  new  fence  on  the  west  and  north 
sides  of  the  lot  six  feet  high,  and  paint  the  front  part  of 
the  schoolhouse,  the  cost  of  the  same  to  be  the  consid- 
eration in  the  deed.  In  1891  the  schoolhouses  were  all 
thoroughly  repaired,  and  are  now  in  excellent  condition. 
The  several  rooms  have  been  adorned  and  beautified 
with  a  reproduction  of  Stuart's  Washington.  "We 
cannot  look,  however  imperfectly,  upon  a  great  man 
without  gaining  something  by  him."  How  can  patriot- 
ism be  better  taught  than  in  studying  the  life  and 
character  of  the  "Father  of  his  country"  ?  Flags  have 
been  presented  to  all  the  school  buildings. 

School  libraries  were  established  through  the  efforts 
of  the  Hon.  Horace  Mann,  secretary  of  the  State  Board 
of  Education,  in  1837.  The  legislature  authorized  dis- 
tricts to  raise  thirty  dollars  for  the  first  year  and  ten 
dollars  for  each  subsequent  year  in  organizing  and  main- 
taining school  libraries. 

The  State  Board  of  Education  recommended  a  list  of 
books  divided  into  two  classes,  one  for  young  people 
and  the  other  for  adults,  from  which  school  committees 
were  authorized  to  select.  The  books  were  named 
"The  District  School  Library."  These  libraries  were 


220  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

sometimes  kept  at  the  schoolhouse,  and  again  at  private 
residences.  Dover  was  among  the  early  towns  to  avail 
itself  of  this  privilege.  In  1 842  a  resolution  was  passed 
by  the  General  Court  appropriating  to  each  school  dis- 
trict, which  should  raise  an  equal  sum,  fifteen  dollars 
for  library  purposes.  Under  this  act  the  North  School 
library  was  organized  in  1842. 

School  libraries  were  revived  in  1890,  and  all  the 
schools  now  have  little  libraries  at  hand  of  carefully 
selected  books,  numbering  several  hundred  in  the 
aggregate. 

The  following  list  contains  the  names  of  all  persons 
who  have  received  a  college  education  or  been  mem- 
bers of  some  college  since  the  organization  of  the  First 
Parish  in  1 749  :  — 

Nathaniel  Battle, Harvard,    1765 

Jabez  Chickering '774 

Joseph  Haven, •. "           i?74 

John  Haven "           1776 

George  Caryl, "           1788 

Morrill  Allen Brown,    I  797 

Hezekiah  Allen Harvard,    1800 

William  Draper 1803 

Jesse  Fisher, 1803 

Samuel  Fisher 1810 

Joseph  Haven "           1810 

Daniel  Whiting Brown,    1812 

Thaddeus  Allen "        1812 

Hezekiah  Battle, "        1814 

Mason  Fisher, Harvard,    1814 

Jesse  Chickering, 1818 

Fisher  Ames  Harding 1833 

George  Partridge  Sanger 1840 

Simon  Greenleaf  Sanger, 1848 


SCHOOLS  221 

Anna  McGill, Ripon,  1884 

Eleanor  Whiting, Wellesley,  1887 

Wallace  Rodman  Colcord,     .       Massachusetts  Agricultural,  1887 

Martha  Elizabeth  Everett, Smith,  1888 

Alice  Gertrude  Coombs,   .     .           Wellesley,  1893 

Grace  Irving  Coombs, "  1894 

Charles  Herbert  Higgins,       .       Massachusetts  Agricultural,  1894 

Margaret  McGill, Mount  Holyoke,  1894 

Robert  Sharp  Jones,     .     .     .       Massachusetts  Agricultural,  1895 

Mabel  Colcord, Radcliffe,  1895 

George  Freeman  Parmenter,1       Massachusetts  Agricultural. 

1  Entered  1896. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

CIVIL    HISTORY. 

THE  EVOLUTION  OF  THE  TOWN — -VOTE  OF  DEDHAM  TOWN- 
MEETING— ACT  OF  INCORPORATION  —  BOARD  OF  DIS- 
TRICT OFFICERS  —  ANNUAL  TOWN-MEETINGS  —  POST- 
OFFICE. 

Old  events  have  modern  meanings :   only  that  survives 
Of  past  history  which  finds  kindred  in  all  hearts  and  lives. 

—  LOWELL. 

The  history  of  the  First  Parish  must  forever  remain 
as  the  early  history  of  Dover.  Through  its  develop- 
ment we  trace  the  evolution  of  the  town. 

The  inhabitants  of  the  westerly  part  of  Declham  pre- 
vious to  1780  had  taken  the  successive  steps  which 
ultimately  led  to  the  incorporation  of  the  town,  in 
having  gained  through  the  action  of  the  General  Court, 
in  1729,  the  establishment  of  bounds;  in  being  freed 
from  the  minister  tax  in  Declham,  and  being  allowed  to 
worship  in  neighboring  towns,  whose  churches  were 
more  accessible  to  some  of  the  Dover  inhabitants ; 
and  in  having  been  made  a  distinct  precinct  by  the 
General  Court  in  1/48. 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  Revolution  the  inhab- 
itants had  chafed  under  heavy  taxation  and  a  small 
representation  at  the  Declham  town-meeting,  but  the 
great  struggle  for  independence  held  them  together 
and  stilled  all  murmurings. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  223 

With  the  prospect  of  peace,  however,  the  old  longing 
for  separation  appeared.  At  a  precinct-meeting  held 
October  10,  1780,  it  was  voted  "that  we  desire  to  be 
incorporated  into  a  town."  Nevertheless,  no  active 
steps  were  taken  towards  separation  until  the  next  year. 
Col.  John  Jones,  Capt.  Hezekiah  Allen,  Capt.  Hezekiah 
Battle,  John  Reed,  and  Thomas  Burridge  were  chosen 
a  committee,  February  16,  1781,  to  prepare  and  sign  a 
petition  to  the  town  of  Dedham  asking  to  be  set  off 
from  that  town. 

The  request  was  at  first  refused ;  but  at  a  subsequent 
meeting  held  June  4,  1781,  it  was  granted  by  the  town 
of  Dedham  upon  the  following  conditions  :  — 

The  question  was  put  whether  the  town  will  consent  that  the 
Fourth  Precinct  in  said  town  may  be  incorporated  into  a  town- 
ship, the  said  town  relinquishing  their  right  or  share  in  the  work- 
house, school  money,  all  donations,  and  other  public  privileges  in 
said  town.  Passed  in  the  affirmative. 

On  the  1 7th  of  September,  1781,  the  precinct  voted, 
provided  they  were  incorporated  into  a  town  by  the 
General  Court,  to  relinquish  all  rights  in  the  property 
of  the  town.  To  carry  out  this  plan  the  precinct  ap- 
pointed Col.  John  Jones,  Dea.  Joseph  Haven,  and  John 
Reed  to  petition  the  General  Court  for  an  act  of  incor- 
poration. This  petition  was  presented  January  16, 
1782. 

The  bill  passed  the  House,  but  was  unexpectedly 
rejected  in  the  Senate  April  23,  1782.  Not  daunted 
by  their  failure,  the  precinct  on  the  I7th  of  March, 
1784,  voted  to  make  another  attempt  to  be  incorporated 
into  a  town.  Their  earnest  desire  is  set  forth  in  the 
following  extract  from  their  petition  :  — 


224  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Those  of  our  members  that  have  attended  town-meetings  in 
Dedham  have  been  obliged  to  travel  between  four  and  ten  miles 
out  and  as  far  home,  to  attend  in  the  First  Precinct,  the  constant 
place  of  town-meetings  in  said  town;  and,  by  reason  of  the  extra 
distance,  the  badness  of  the  ways,  and  sometimes  deep  snow  and 
stormy  seasons,  there  hath  not  been  more  than  two  or  three  of 
said  Fourth  Precinct  at  their  town-meetings,  when  matters  of 
great  weight  are  transacted.  And  a  considerable  part  of  said  pre- 
cinct are  wearied  with  such  unreasonable  toil  and  travel,  and 
determined  several  years  ago  never  to  attend  another  town-meet- 
ing in  said  place  again,  and  still  adhere  to  their  determination, 
whereby  the  interest  of  the  said  Fourth  Precinct  has  frequently 
suffered,  and  probably  sometimes  not  from  any  unreasonable  de- 
sire in  the  other  precincts  to  infringe  on  the  interest  of  the  said 
Fourth  Precinct,  saving  that  the  said  Fourth  Precinct  has  never 
been  able  to  obtain  a  town-meeting  in  rotation  within  their  limit. 
That  the  extra  expense  and  charges  that  would  be  incurred  by 
their  being  incorporated  into  a  town  would  be  fully  compensated 
by  their  negotiating  their  affairs  within  themselves,  and  without 
much  travel:  and,  although  the  said  precinct  are  not  many  in 
number  or  opulent  and  wealthy,  they  are  considerably  filled  with 
inhabitants  and  are  increasing.  But.  if  they  were  fewer  in  num- 
ber, and  of  less  ability,  they  are  under  an  absolute  necessity  of 
being  incorporated  into  a  town  by  reason  of  their  irregular  form 
and  distance  from  the  other  precincts. 

The  committee  of  the  General  Court  took  this  matter 
under  consideration,  but,  in  view  of  the  smallness  of 
the  population,  decided  that  the  request  ought  not  to  be 
granted.  The  matter  having  taken  this  shape,  the  pre- 
cinct unanimously  voted,  June  28,  1/84,  to  ask  to  be 
incorporated  into  a  district,  as  they  could  be  united  with 
another  town  in  the  election  of  a  representative  to  the 
General  Court.  This  matter  of  the  choice  of  a  repre- 
sentative was  of  importance,  as  all  the  inhabitants  of 
the  State  had  to  be  included  in  representative  districts, 


CIVIL    HISTORY  225 

and  only  towns  of  a  given  population  could  send  a 
representative  to  the  legislature.  The  request  of  the 
petitioners  was  granted  July  7,  1784,  in  the  following 
act  of  incorporation  :  — 

COMMONWKALTH    OK    M  ASSACHUSKTTS. 

In  the   Year   of  our  Lord  One  Thousand   Seven    Hundred  and 
Eighty-four. 

An    Act  for  erecting  a  District  within   the  County  of  Suffolk 
by  the  A'aine  of  Dover. 

Whereas  the  inhabitants  of  the  Fourth  Precinct  in  the  town 
of  Dedham  in  said  county  have  repeatedly  and  earnestly  peti- 
tioned this  Court  that  they  may  be  incorporated  into  a  district, 
and  it  appears  that  they  labor  under  great  difficulties  in  their 
present  situation. 

Be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives in  the  General  Court  assembled,  and  by  the  authority 
of  the  same,  that  the  said  Fourth  Precinct  in  Dedham  be  and  it 
hereby  is  incorporated  into  a  district  by  the  name  of  Dover,  with 
all  the  powers,  privileges,  and  immunities  of  incorporated  dis- 
tricts [the  bounds  having  been  given  in  a  previous  chapter  are 
here  omitted],  provided  that  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of 
the  said  district  of  Dover  shall  pay  their  proportion  of  all  taxes 
now  assessed  by  and  debts  due  from  the  said  town  *of  Dedham, 
and  that  the  said  district  of  Dover  relinquish  all  their  rights,  title, 
and  interest  in  and  to  the  workhouse,  school  money,  and  all  dona- 
tions and  other  public  privileges  in  said  town  of  Dedham. 

And  be  it  ...  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid  that  the  polls 
and  estates  in  said  district  of  Dover  that  were  returned  by  the 
assessors  for  the  said  town  of  Dedham  on  the  last  valuation, 
which  then  belonged  to  said  town  of  Dedham,  be  deducted  from 
the  return  made  by  the  said  assessors,  and  be  placed  to  the  said 
district  of  Dover  until  another  valuation  shall  be  taken. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  Stephen  Metcalf,  Esq.,  be  and  is 
hereby  empowered  to  issue  his  warrant,  directed  to  some  principal 
inhabitant  within  the  said  district  of  Dover,  requiring  him  to 


226  J11STORY    OF   DOVER 

warn  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  within  the  said  district 
of  Dover  qualified  to  vote  in  district  affairs  to  assemble  at  some 
suitable  time  and  place  in  the  said  district,  to  choose  such  officers 
as  shall  be  necessary  to  manage  the  affairs  of  said  district. 

And  be  it  further  enacted  that  the  selectmenTof  the  town  of 
Dedham,  fifteen  days  at  least  before  the  time  of  choosing  a  repre- 
sentative for  the  said  town,  shall  give  notice  of  the  time  and  place 
by  them  ordered  for  that  purpose  in  writing,  under  their  hands,  to 
the  selectmen  of  said  district  of  Dover,  to  the  intent  the  select- 
men of  said  district  may  issue  their  warrant  to  the  constable  or 
constables  of  the  said  district,  to  warn  the  inhabitants  thereof  to 
meet  with  the  said  town  of  Dedham  at  time  and  place  so  ap- 
pointed for  the  choice  of  a  representative. 

IN  THE  HOIISK  OK  REPRESENTATIVES,  July  6,  1784. 
This    bill,    having    had    three    several   readings,   passed    to    be 

enacted'  SAMUEL  A.  OTIS.  Speaker. 

IN   SKNATK,  July  7,  1784. 
This    bill,    having    had    two    several    readings,    passed     to     be 

enacted-  SAMI-KL  ADAMS,  President. 

Approved,  JOHN  HANCOCK. 

A  true  copy. 

Attested:     JOHN  AVEKY,  Jr.,  Secretary. 

A  district,  with  the  exception  of  having  a  representa- 
tive, exercised  all  the  functions  of  a  town,  with  a  full 
board  of  officers  ;  and  maintained  highways,  took  care 
of  the  poor,  and  supported  schools. 

The  first  district-meeting  was  held  in  the  meeting- 
house August  9,  1784,  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected  :  Col.  John  Jones,  district  clerk  ;  Col.  John 
Jones,  Dea.  Joseph  Haven,  Lieut.  Kbene/er  Newell, 


CIVIL    HISTORY  227 

selectmen ;  William  Whiting,  treasurer ;  Theodore 
Newell,  constable  and  collector.  The  district  made 
liberal  appropriations  for  the  support  of  schools,  the 
poor,  highways,  and  for  other  purposes.  May  9,  1785, 
the  district  united  with  the  town  of  Dedham  in  electing 
two  representatives  to  the  General  Court,  both  of  whom 
were  residents  of  Dedham.  In  1789  Dover  was  united 
with  Medfield  in  electing  a  representative  to  the  General 
Court,  and  for  forty-seven  years  the  voters  annually 
went  to  Medfield  to  vote  for  a  representative.  At  the 
time  of  its  incorporation  the  district  of  Dover  contained 
a  population  of  four  hundred  and  fifty-three. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  the  parish,  cattle,  swine, 
and  sheep  ran  at  large  and  were  a  constant  annoyance. 
The  selectmen  took  early  action  to  abate  this  nuisance  ; 
and  June  8,  1785,  Ebenezer  Newell,  who  lived  at  the 
center  of  the  district,  was  appointed  pound-keeper,  with 
his  barnyard  for  a  pound.  In  1794  the  district  provided 
a  pound,  which  was  built  twenty-four  feet  square  within 
the  wall,  and  cost  £16,  i  $s. 

The  public  pound  can  now  be  seen  on  the  grounds 
of  the  First  Parish.  Cattle  and  swine  were  allowed  to 
run  at  large  as  late  as  1 794. 

It  was  voted  in  1818  "to  restrain  all  cattle  and  hogs 
from  going  at  large  the  year  ensuing,  but  such  as  the 
selectmen  shall  see  fit  to  license  to  run  on  the  common 
with  a  certain  mark  upon  them,  that  they  may  be  dis- 
tinguished from  others." 

The  laws  of  Massachusetts  have  always  been  very 
strict  in  reference  to  the  maintenance  of  guide-posts. 
They  were  of  vital  importance  before  the  introduction  of 
railroads,  when  all  travel  was  either  by  carriage  or  horse- 


228  HISTORY    OF    DOJ'EK 

back  ;  and  the  advent  of  the  bicycle  has  awakened  new 
interest  in  them.  In  1795  the  district  erected  guide- 
posts,  or  "  directing-boards,"  as  they  were  sometimes 
called,  at  the  junction  of  the  principal  streets.  These 
guide-posts  directed  the  traveller  not  only  to  Boston 
and  adjoining  towns,  but  also  to  Worcester,  Cambridge, 
Providence,  and  Concord,  as  there  was  much  travel  to 
these  points. 

Dover's  proportion  of  the  debt  of  Dedham  was  ad- 
justed by  a  joint  committee  of  the  two  towns,  December 
31,  1792.  It  was  found  that  the  whole  debt  of  the 
town  at  the  time  of  the  separation  was  .£1,346,  us., 
yd.  Dover  paid  as  her  part  of  the  indebtedness 
£285,  8s. 

The  district  provided  itself  with  a  powder-house  in 
1800,  which  was  located  on  Walpole  Street.  The 
powder-house  was  built  upon  a  rock  fifteen  feet  square, 
which  was  presented  to  the  district  by  Capt.  Samuel 
Fisher.  The  building  was  used  for  the  storage  of 
ammunition  during  the  second  war  with  Great  Britain 
and  for  some  years  after,  but  was  removed  in  1845. 

There  was  a  discussion  in  1816  in  reference  to  apply- 
ing to  the  General  Court  to  be  incorporated  into  a  town, 
but  no  definite  action  was  taken.  The  question  was 
not  again  considered  until  February  8,  1836,  when  it 
was  voted  "  that  the  selectmen  petition  the  Genera! 
Court  to  be  incorporated  into  a  town  with  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  other  towns  of  the  Commonwealth." 
The  following  is  taken  from  their  petition  :  - 

Your  petitioners  confidently  believe  that  your  honorable 
body  will  readily  perceive  the  inconvenience  to  which  they  are 
subjected  annually  in  transferring  their  records  and  travelling 


CIVIL    HISTORY  229 

themselves  to  a  distant  town  to  accomplish  those  objects  which 
might  be  performed  in  the  center  of  their  own  population  if  they 
were  incorporated  into  a  town  by  themselves. 

Having  ascertained  that  they  possessed  the  requisite 
number  of  polls  —  one  hundred  and  fifty  —  to  entitle 
them  to  a  representation  in  the  General  Court,  at  the 
March  meeting  held  in  Medfield  in  1836  it  was  voted 
that  the  town  request  the  prayer  of  their  petitioners  be 
granted.  The  General  Court  acceded  to  their  request, 
and  passed  an  act  of  incorporation  March  26,  1836. 
Thus,  one  hundred  and  seven  years  after  defining  the 
original  bounds,  eighty-seven  years  after  establishing 
the  parish,  and  fifty-two  years  after  the  incorporation 
of  the  district,  Dover  took  its  place  among  the  towns 
of  the  Commonwealth. 

The  people  in  Massachusetts  represented  the  oldest 
civilization,  and  were  the  most  distinctively  English  of 
all  the  colonies.  The  government  of  townships  was 
vested  in  the  people  ;  and  once  a  year  from  its  settle- 
ment to  the  present  time,  in  the  month  of  March,  they 
came  together  to  discuss  the  affairs  of  the  town,  every 
male  citizen  having  a  vote  and  voice  in  the  meeting. 

The  to\vn-meeting  is  an  ideal  institution,  and  one  that 
we,  and  our  fathers  before  us,  have  enjoyed  from  the 
first  settlement  of  New  England. 

At  first  town-meetings  were  held  monthly  ;  but  as 
early  as  1635  these  monthly  meetings  were  abandoned, 
and  selectmen  chosen  to  represent  the  town.  Special 
town-meetings  for  the  consideration  of  important  ques- 
tions have  always  been  held.  It  is  interesting  to  go 
back  to  the  early  records  of  the  town-meeting,  where  our 
fathers  discussed  and  voted  on  those  questions  which 


230  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

led  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  town-meetings 
became  of  special  interest  when  the  British  governor 
attempted  to  impose  duties.  In  Boston,  James  Otis, 
Samuel  Adams,  and  John  Adams  became  powerful 
leaders;  and  it  was  at  these  meetings  "the  child  Inde- 
pendence was  born." 

In  Dedham  these  matters  were  also  considered,  and 
the  vote  of  the  town  is  significant. 

The  annual  March  meeting  for  the  election  of  officers 
and  the  transaction  of  other  business  has  been  held  in 
Dover  every  year  since  1749.  At  first  it  was  but  a 
parish-meeting,  and  its  action  pertained  only  to  the 
affairs  of  the  parish  ;  but  it  went  right  on  as  a  district- 
meeting  after  the  formation  of  the  district  of  Dover  in 
1784,  and  was  taken  up  as  a  town-meeting  in  1837. 
These  annual  meetings  have  always  been  largely 
attended,  and  adjourned  whenever  necessary,  although 
it  has  been  customary  to  hold  an  annual  April  meeting. 
While  the  Church  and  State  were  one  the  town-meeting 
was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  town  minister,  and  the 
custom  was  continued  as  long  as  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger 
remained  a  resident  of  the  town.  The  practice  was 
carried  to  the  schools,  and  the  visit  of  the  minister 
always  included  a  prayer.  The  town-meeting  is  the 
strength  of  the  town  government,  and  woe  to  the 
town  official  who  cannot  give  in  open  town-meeting, 
when  questioned  by  the  voters,  an  account  of  his 
stewardship.  The  March  meeting  remains  as  a  re- 
minder of  the  old-style  year,  which  commenced  at  the 
vernal  equinox  in  March.  The  year  was  changed  to 
January  I  in  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies  by  an  act 
of  Parliament  in  1752.  Annual  printed  reports  are 


CI YIL    HIS  TOR  Y  231 

of  comparatively  recent  issue,  the  first  printed  town 
report  having  been  made  by  the  selectmen  to  the  citi- 
zens in  1 846. 

There  was  a  property  qualification  in  Massachusetts 
until  within  recent  years.  At  first  the  town  warrants 
were  issued  to  "  the  freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of 
the  said  Dover  that  are  twenty-one  years  of  age  and 
have  an  annual  income  of  three  pounds  or  an  estate  of 
the  value  of  sixty  pounds."  Later  the  poll-tax  was 
made  a  prerequisite  for  voting.  Within  a  few  years  all 
property  qualifications  have  been  abolished.  The  town 
adopted  the  Australian  ballot  system  in  1891,  governing 
the  election  of  all  town  officers. 

The  early  records  are  not  without  warnings  for  to-day. 
For  instance,  we  wonder  if  the  owners  of  high  buildings 
in  our  cities  or  the  authorities  who  allow  their  erection 
have  ever  investigated  the  subject  of  earthquakes  here- 
abouts. The  following  extracts  from  Col.  John  Jones's 
"  Book  of  Minits,"  published  by  his  grandson,  Amos 
Perry,  show  that  five  earthquakes  occurred  here  within 
a  period  of  less  than  twenty-five  years  :  — 

A  great  Earth  Quake  October  29,  i  729. 

A  great  Earth  Quake  Sabbath  Day  June  3.  i  744. 

An  Earth  Quake  February  4.  1745-6. 

August  14  1747  Earthquake  Sabbath  Morning. 

July  10.  1751   Earthquake  in  the  morning. 

Farmers  will  be  interested  nowadays  to  note  the 
frequency  of  droughts,  as  recorded  in  these  quaint  early 
records,  by  Colonel  Jones:  — 

1746  a  great  drout  in  June  and  July  and  frost  in  August,  a  cold 
fall.  Snow  October  iX. 


232  UJ STORY    O/--    DOVER 

i74<S  Very  dry  Summer,  9th  of  June  a  fast  thro'  ye  province  on 
account  of  ye  drout. 

i  749  June  i  5,  A  general  fast  a  very  great  drout. 

June  23,  As  hot  as  ever  was  known  —  the  ground  glowed  with 
heat — Many  fish  died  insomuch  that  ye  River  Stank  —  Charles 
River  almost  Dry. 

Hay  not  to  be  bought  in  hay  time  in  ye  country  for  40^.  per 
hundred. 

Later  record  :  — 

After  ye  Summer  season  was  in  a  measure  over,  the  Rains 
came  and  God's  Blessing  therewith  —  produced  a  considerable 
cropp  of  hay  and  grass  and  the  creatures  were  unaccountably 
supported. 

The  scattered  settlers  received  their  mail  for  many 
years  from  Dedham,  from  which  office  it  was  brought 
over  several  times  a  week.  A  post-office  was  not  es- 
tablished in  town  until  1838.  The  mail  service  was 
excellent  for  the  time,  as  Dedham  lay  on  the  principal 
highway  of  the  country,  and  the  great  American  mail 
passed  through  Dedham  from  the  inception  of  the  ser- 
vice in  1693  until  1835. 

At  first  there  was  a  semi-weekly  mail,  on  Wednesday 
and  Saturday.  John  Williams  was  the  first  postmaster. 
He  continued  in  the  office  until  his  death,  in  February, 
1840. 

Mr.  Williams  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Ralph 
Sanger,  who  held  the  office  for  twenty  years,  resign- 
ing in  January,  1860.  The  office  was  not  moved  dur- 
ing Mr.  Sanger's  administration.  With  the  opening  of 
the  Boston  &  Worcester  Railroad,  the  mail  was  trans- 
ferred to  Wellesley  and  brought  to  Dover  by  way  of 
South  Natick.  Later  it  was  changed  to  Xeedham  on 


C1VJL    HISTORY  233 

the  completion  of  the  Charles  River  branch  railroad  to 
that  place.  It  was  during  Mr.  Sanger's  term  of  office 
that  daily  mails  were  established.  Isaac  Howe  was  the 
third  postmaster,  and  held  the  office  for  thirteen  years. 
Upon  his  resignation  in  1875,  h*8  son>  George  L. 
Howe,  became  his  successor.  Mr.  Howe  soon  moved 
the  office  to  the  railroad  station,  which  was  more  acces- 
sible than  the  private  residence  where  it  had  been  kept 
for  nearly  forty  years.  When  the  office  was  established, 
it  was  placed  in  connection  with  the  tavern  and  store  ; 
but  both  had  long  since  been  closed.  The  mail  facil- 
ities have  increased  from  two  mails  a  week  in  1838  to 
nine  mails  a  day,  with  registered  letters  and  money- 
order  facilities. 

A  post-office  was  established  at  Charles  River  Vil- 
lage through  the  efforts  of  Josiah  Newell,  who  was 
appointed  the  first  postmaster.  The  office  was  estab- 
lished with  the  understanding  that  the  mail,  taken  at  a 
convenient  point,  should  be  carried  by  those  interested 
without  expense  to  the  government.  Previous  to  the 
opening  of  this  office  the  residents  got  their  mail  at 
Dover.  William  M.  Richards  succeeded  Mr.  Newell  as 
postmaster  about  1855.  With  the  completion  of  the 
railroad  the  office  was  moved  to  the  depot. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that,  with  the  exception  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sanger,  the  postmasters  of  Dover  have  all 
been  of  one  family,  who  have  cared  for  the  office  in 
all  the  fifty-nine  years  of  its  existence. 

Although  Dr.  Ames,  of  Dedham,  and  other  prominent 
physicians  practised  in  the  Springfield  Parish,  doctors 
were  not  within  ready  call  ;  and  the  people  learned  to 
depend  upon  themselves  in  ordinary  illness  and  to  use 


234  HISTORY    OF    DOl'l-.K 

the  simple  herbs  at  hand  for  remedies.  Even  at  a  later 
period  physicians  who  had  taken  degrees  at  Harvard 
College,  and  studied  medicine  with  prominent  practi- 
tioners, knew  nothing  of  children's  diseases,  and,  when 
called  to  a  sick  child,  would,  after  a  hasty  examination, 
turn  the  little  sufferer  over  to  some  woman  who  had  had 
experience  in  rearing  a  family  and  consequently  knew 
more  than  the  physician  about  children. 

Accounts  might  be  given  of  surgical  operations  in 
•  amputations  and  other  cases  before  the  discovery  of 
anaesthetics  that  were  most  touching  and  heart-rending, 
as  the  subject,  strapped  upon  a  table,  had  to  endure 
in  full  consciousness  the  pain  of  a  surgeon's  knife- 
George  Caryl,  M.D.,  is  the  only  resident  physician  the 
place  has  ever  had.  He  was  a  native  of  Dover,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard  University  in  1788.  Dr.  Caryl 
studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Samuel  Willard,  a  noted 
physician  of  Uxbridge,  Mass.  He  afterwards  studied 
for  a  time  in  Boston.  Dr.  Caryl  commenced  to  prac- 
tise medicine  in  1790,  and  was  active  in  his  profession 
until  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1822.  He  was  a  skilful 
physician,  and  had  an  extensive  practice  in  this  and 
adjoining  towns. 

Dr.  Caryl  dispensed  his  own  drugs,  which  consisted 
largely  of  pills,  potions,  salves,  and  blisters.  Some  of 
his  medicines  still  remain  just  as  he  left  them  in  his 
saddle-bag  more  than  a  half  century  ago.  Calomel  and 
laudanum  were  the  popular  remedies  of  the  da}'.  Like 
all  physicians  of  his  time,  Dr.  Caryl  pulled  teeth  with 
a  "turnkey,"  having  first  cut  round  the  gum  with  a 
"lancet. 

The   custom  of  reckoning  by  shillings,  six  to  a  dollar, 


CIVIL    HISTORY  235 

was  long  kept  up  after  the  decimal  system  of  money 
had  been  established  by  law. 

Much  Mexican  silver  was  used,  and  a  sixteenth  of  a 
dollar  (six  and  one-fourth  cents)  was  called  a  "four- 
pence  ha'  penny  " ;  an  eighth  of  a  dollar  (twelve  and  a 
half  cents)  was  called  "  ninepence  "  ;  thirty-seven  and  a 
half  cents  was  called  "  two  and  threepence "  ;  sixty-six 
and  two-thirds  cents,  "  four  shillings  "  ;  eighty-three  and 
a  third  cents,  "five  shillings." 

In  trade,  dealers  usually  took  the  fractional  part. 
One  instance  is  known  where  a  Dover  storekeeper  cut 
a  cent  in  halves  rather  than  lose  the  half  cent  which 
was  due  him  in  trade.  Half  cents  were  at  one  time  in 
circulation. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

CIVIL    HISTORY.—  Continued. 

HARTFORD    TURNPIKE  —  SMALL-  FOX  —  FIRE-  ENGINE  —  TAV- 
ERN-KEEPERS—PROPRIETORS'     LIBRARY  —  How     THE 

POOR  WERE  CARED  FOR TOWN  HALL TOWN  LlHRARY 

—  AGRICULTURAL   LllJRARY  —  REPRESENTATIVES  TO  THE 
GENERAL      COURT  -  -    SELECTMEN  -      TOWN-CLERKS  — 
TREASURERS  —  SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  SCHOOLS. 

"  The  old  turnpike  is  a  pike  no  longer  : 
Wide  open  stands  the  gate." 

Before  the  advent  of  railroads,  turnpikes  were  built 
for  stage-routes  and  the  accommodation  of  persons  trav- 
elling across  the  country.  Then  turnpikes  were  usually 
built  in  a  straight  line  over  hill  and  through  dale  with- 
out any  deviation.  Although  laid  out  by  surveyors,  the 
fact  was  not  recognized  that  it  is  generally  no  farther 
around  a  hill  than  over  it,  and  that  a  road  built  on  the 
latter  plan  would  be  easier  to  construct  and  maintain, 
would  admit  of  more  rapid  travel  and  the  support  of 
greater  burdens,  with  less  wear  and  tear  on  horse  and 
vehicle  than  one  built  in  a  straight  line. 

When  the  Hartford  turnpike  was  contemplated,  it 
was  the  purpose  of  the  company  to  pass  near  Dover 
Center  ;  but  this  proposition  met  with  such  strenuous 
opposition  on  the  part  of  Samuel  Fisher,  the  principal 
landowner,  that  it  was  carried  much  farther  south,  and 
but  touched  the  town.  This  turnpike  came  into  exist- 
ence by  an  act  of  the  General  Court,  March  9,  1804. 


CIVIL    PI  1  STORY  237 

Toll-gates  were  established.  The  tolls  in  this  town 
were  collected  for  nearly  twenty  years  near  the  house 
of  the  late  William  Tisdale.  A  line  of  stage-coaches 
was  run  over  this  turnpike  from  Boston  to  Hartford, 
where  connections  were  made  for  New  Haven  and  New 
York.  The  first  exchange  of  horses  was  made  at  Med- 
field,  and  the  approach  of  the  stage-coach  was  always 
announced  by  the  bugle. 

Before  the  discoveries  of  vaccination  small-pox  was 
considered  one  of  the  worst  diseases  to  which  flesh  is 
heir.  The  only  known  remedy  for  this  fatal  and  pesti- 
lential disease  was  inoculation  with  the  virus  of  small- 
pox. In  1792  the  district  voted  to  make  the  house 
of  Hezekiah  Battle  a  hospital  for  the  inoculation  and 
treatment  of  small-pox.  As  the  disease  was  so  in- 
fectious it  was  necessary  to  have  a  house  somewhat 
isolated  and  to  maintain  the  strictest  quarantine.  The 
following  committee,  made  up  of  some  of  the  most 
prominent  citizens,  was  chosen  to  establish  the  bounds  : 
Dea.  Joseph  Haven,  Nathaniel  Chickering,  Aaron 
Whiting,  Ebenezer  Battle,  Capt.  Samuel  Fisher,  Capt. 
Hezekiah  Allen,  and  Joseph  Fisher. 

A  fine  of  sixty  dollars  was  voted  against  any  one 
who  should  cross  the  bounds.  Twenty-four  days  was 
allowed  in  which  the  inhabitants  could  present  them- 
selves for  treatment.  A  large  number  of  young  men 
and  young  women  were  inoculated  for  the  small-pox, 
together  with  the  virus  of  the  itch.  The  small-pox  so 
completely  worked  in  the  system  that  it  eradicated  the 
itch,  and  it  is  said  the  subject  would  never  again 
contract  the  disease.  The  diet  of  the  patients  while  in 
the  hospital  excluded  all  fatty  foods,  and  consisted 


238  JU STORY    OF   DOVER 

largely  of  brown  bread  and  molasses.  It  is  presumed 
that  Dr.  George  Caryl  had  charge  of  the  hospital.  At 
another  time  a  small  hospital  was  established  on  Pegan 
Hill.  May  14,  1896,  marked  the  centenary  of  the 
operation  of  vaccination  on  the  first  child  in  England. 
Through  this  discovery  and  the  practice  of  vaccination 
small-pox  has  been  almost  entirely  wiped  out,  and  what 
was  once  a  deadly  scourge  is  now  a  comparatively  mild 
disease. 

In  1811  the  selectmen  received  a  petition  from  resi- 
dents, largely  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  asking 
the  district  to  consider  some  means  of  extinguishing 
fires.  The  following  committee,  Benjamin  Guy,  Jr., 
John  Plimpton,  Seth  Mason,  Noah  Fiske,  Jonathan 
Battle,  Jr.,  Obed  Hartshorn,  Benjamin  Guy,  James 
Mann,  and  Draper  Smith,  were  chosen  "  to  draft  some 
plan  of  such  an  engine  or  machine  to  extinguish  fire  as 
will  be  suitable  for  the  district,  and  to  calculate  the 
probable  cost  of  the  same."  The  committee  was  not 
able  to  devise  anything  which  was  acceptable  to  the 
district  ;  and,  although  the  matter  was  frequently  dis- 
cussed, no  provision  was  made  for  extinguishing  fires. 
In  1858  the  town  was  asked  to  "provide  a  set  of  fire 
hooks,  ladders,  axes,  and  carriage  for  the  same  "  ;  but 
no  favorable  action  was  taken  by  the  town  on  the  sub- 
ject until  1896,  when  a  committee  was  chosen  and  an 
appropriation  of  five  hundred  dollars  made  for  the 
purchase  of  a  wagon,  ladders,  and  chemical  fire- 
extinguishers. 

The  colonial  tavern  was  next  in  importance  to  the 
meeting-house,  and  the  one  usually  stood  in  close  prox- 
imity to  the  other.  The  warmth  of  the  tavern  fire  was 


CIVIL    HISTORY  239 

always  welcome  in  winter  to  the  men  who  congregated 
on  all  public  occasions  at  the  meeting-house.  Before 
the  advent  of  newspapers  all  news  emanated  from  the 
tavern. 

A  public  inn  was  opened  at  the  center  of  the  parish 
long  before  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution.  Eben- 
ezer  Newell,  who  settled  here  previous  to  1750,  was  an 
inn-holder.  He  moved  from  Needham,  and  was  a 
cooper  by  trade ;  but  there  is  no  evidence  that  he  fol- 
lowed this  occupation  here.  He  probably  opened  a 
public  house  near  the  spot  which  for  so  many  years 
was  occupied  by  a  tavern.  Mr.  Newell  doubtless  kept 
a  store  in  connection  with  his  inn.  Later  John  Reed, 
who  lived  on  the  Sanger  place,  opened  a  tavern  in  com- 
petition with  his  neighbor  ;  but  it  was  not  long  contin- 
ued as  a  public  house. 

Parish-meetings  were  sometimes  adjourned  to  the 
inns  of  both  Newell  and  Reed.  The  Williams  Tavern, 
which  occupies  such  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  center 
of  the  town,  was 

"  Built  in  the  old  colonial  day. 
When  men  lived  in  a  grander  way. 
With  ampler  hospitality." 

The  great  room  was  the  important  part  of  all  taverns, 
with  its  oak  floor,  large  fireplace,  chests,  forms,  and 
chairs.  The  "buffet,"  built  into  the  corner,  furnished 
in  the  early  time  an  important  adjunct  to  the  Williams 
Tavern. 

The  flip  iron,  which  was  in  constant  use,  was  near  at 
hand,  and  is  still  in  existence.  John  Williams  added 
to  the  building  the  wing  which  extends  northward, 


240  HISTORY    OF   DOl'F.K 

and  thus  provided  a  store  and  dance  hall,  where  many 
social  gatherings  were  held  for  young  and  old.  In  one 
of  the  old  chests  can  be  seen  to-day  the  balls  which 
were  used  in  playing  ninepins. 

In  this  old  tavern  the  people  congregated,  exchanged 
news,  gossiped,  and  held  many  a  political  caucus.  The 
Williams  Tavern  has  a  pathetic  interest.  In  the 
"great"  room  the  "Sons  of  Liberty"  congregated; 
and  here  were  discussed,  by  the  most  prominent  citi- 
zens, the  affairs  of  the  colony  in  the  trying  time  of  the 
Revolution. 

This  was  a  favorite  resort  for  horse-jockeys,  as  the 
ample  grounds  around  the  tavern  furnished  an  excellent 
place  in  which  to  show  the  qualities  of  their  steeds. 
They  often  met  here  by  appointment  to  swap  horses, 
which  was  the  usual  method  of  trade  in  those  days. 

On  training-days  the  common  in  front  of  the  tavern 
was  used  for  training  purposes,  and  presented  a  very 
animated  scene.  The  tavern  was  a  lively  place  at 
morning  and  evening,  as  the  farmers  engaged  in  team- 
ing never  failed  to  call  at  the  door.  Early  in  1800 
John  Williams  purchased  the  tavern  property,  and  for 
many  years  carried  on  the  business  in  connection  with 
a  livery-stable.  The  Woonsocket  line  of  coaches  daily 
stopped  at  the  door.  At  one  time  the  tavern  was  run 
by  Mr.  YVilliams's  son-in-law,  Isaac  Howe,  who  was 
connected  for  many  years  with  that  ancient  hostelry, 
the  Lamb  Tavern,  which  occupied  the  site  of  the 
present  Adams  House  in  Boston. 

The  business  practically  died  with  Mr.  Williams. 
The  sign-board  ot  the  Williams  Tavern  was  a  conspicu- 
ous feature,  and  was  hunir  from  an  elm-tree  across  tin- 


CIVIL    HISTORY  241 

road.  The  old  board  can  still  be  seen,  and  bears  on  one 
side  the  picture  of  a  lion  and  on  the  other  a  tiger,  with 
the  name  of  the  proprietor,  John  Williams,  beneath. 
The  Dover  tavern,  from  the  start,  was  not  much  used 
by  guests  who  tarried,  but  rather  as  a  stopping-place 
for  those  who  journeyed  and  as  a  place  of  resort  for 
the  people  of  this  and  surrounding  towns.  On  Thanks- 
giving eve  the  farmers  engaged  in  turkey-shooting,  the 
fowls  being  arranged  on  the  area  back  of  the  tavern. 
Many  a  farmer  paid  a  dear  price  for  his  Thanksgiving 
turkey,  but  the  sport  of  turkey-shooting  fully  compen- 
sated for  any  excess  of  cost. 

The  tavern-keeper  in  the  early  time  was  a  personage 
of  vast  importance  and  often  the  most  important  man 
in  town.  Ebenezer  Newell  was  for  many  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Dedham  board  of  selectmen.  He  was  one 
of  a  committee  of  three  appointed  by  the  town  in  1774 
to  see  that  none  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  parish  drank 
any  India  tea.  Mr.  Newell  was  a  lieutenant  in  Captain 
Guild's  company  of  minute-men  at  the  Lexington 
alarm,  and  later  served  in  the  Continental  Army. 

Daniel  Whiting,  who  succeeded  Ebenezer  Newell  as 
proprietor  of  the  village  tavern,  held  the  most  promi- 
nent position  among  Dedham  citizens  in  the  Revolution- 
ary War.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill, 
and  held  the  successive  offices  of  lieutenant,  captain, 
major,  and  lieutenant-colonel  in  the  Revolutionary 
Army.  John  Reed  was  a  prominent  citizen,  and  one 
of  the  petitioners  for  the  organization  of  the  town  of 
Dover  in  1782. 

John  Williams  was  a  man  of  large  influence,  and  a 
deputy  sheriff  in  Norfolk  County.  He  was  one  of  the 


242  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

proprietors  of  the  Boston  and  Woonsocket  line  of 
coaches.  He  extended  the  business  of  the  place  many- 
fold,  and  kept  a  first-class  inn.  We  can  easily  see  how 
important  the  tavern  was  in  the  early  time  to  civiliza- 
tion. Before  the  day  of  newspapers  the  farmers  gath- 
ered at  the  tavern,  and  over  a  mug  of  flip  or  black- 
strap discussed  the  news  of  the  day. 

In  the  changes  brought  by  time  much  of  the  old- 
fashioned  fellowship  and  hospitality  has  departed. 
Writers  are  prone  to  dwell  on  the  stern  facts  in  the 
lives  of  our  ancestors  rather  than  upon  the  soft  touches 
of  social  and  domestic  life.  With  all  their  trials  and 
sacrifices  they  had  much  social  pleasure  and  enjoyment. 
Farmers  would  take  more  trouble  and  spend  more 
time  in  perpetrating  a  joke  on  a  neighbor  around  the 
tavern  fire  than  most  men  would  spend  to-day  in 
establishing  an  industry. 

Public  balls  were  frequently  held  at  the  Williams 
Tavern,  and  always  called  forth  a  large  company  from 
this  and  surrounding  towns.  Card-playing  was  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  entertainment  of  the  time,  and 
whole  days  and  evenings  were  often  given  up  to  the 
game. 

We  think  of  the  women  of  that  period  as  spending 
their  days  in  spinning,  weaving,  or  knitting  ;  but  they 
had  much  recreation  in  public  balls,  quilting-parties,  and 
singing-schools,  which  were  the  beginning  of  many  a 
courtship  in  the  early  time.  Union  singing-schools, 
which  were  very  enjoyable,  were  often  held  at  the 
tavern,  the  singing-master  inviting  the  members  of  his 
several  schools  in  other  towns  to  unite  for  the  evening. 
The  main  part  of  the  Williams  Tavern  was  built  before 


CIVIL    HISTORY  243 

the   Revolutionary  War ;   and  for  nearly   a   century  it 

stood  to 

"Welcome  the  coming, 
Speed  the  parting  guest." 

The  Massachusetts  legislature  legalized  the  estab- 
lishment of  proprietors'  libraries  in  1799.  Whether 
a  library  had  been  organized  in  this  parish  previous  to 
that  time  is  unknown.  When  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanger 
married,  and  established  his  home  in  Dover,  in  1817, 
he  took  the  "  Proprietors'  Library  "  into  the  parsonage, 
and  continued  as  its  librarian  for  more  than  forty  years. 
It  was  a  library  of  more  than  two  hundred  volumes 
when  Mr.  Sanger  received  it ;  and  it  must  then  have 
been  in  existence  for  some  years,  as  books  were  added 
but  slowly  in  those  days.  Its  organization,  therefore, 
may  antedate  the  beginning  of  the  present  century. 
Mr.  Sanger  fostered  the  library  ;  and  at  the  close  of  his 
active  ministry,  in  1858,  it  contained  more  than  seven 
hundred  volumes. 

The  books  were  carefully  selected,  and  represented 
the  standard  literature  of  the  day  in  books  of  travel, 
biography,  history,  together  with  the  few  books  of 
standard  fiction  of  that  time. 

The  library  was  largely  patronized,  and  had  a  great 
influence  in  moulding  the  character  and  forming  a  liter- 
erary  taste  among  the  rising  generation.  The  Rev. 
Calvin  E.  Stowe,  in  presenting  the  library  with  a  copy 
of  his  translation  of  the  "  Hebrew  Commonwealth," 
makes  the  following  acknowledgment  on  the  fly-leaf 
of  the  volume  :  — 

To  the  Dover  Library,  from  the  Translator,  in  grateful  re- 
membrance of  the  benefit  which  he  derived  from  that  library  in 
his  early  youth. 


244  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

The  circulation  of  the  books  was  not  confined  to  the 
town.  Residents  of  Natick  and  Needham  were  allowed 
access  to  the  library  on  equal  terms  with  the  residents. 
The  library  was  maintained  for  many  years  with  great 
pride,  and  Dover  was  often  congratulated  on  the  pos- 
session of  so  fine  a  library.  It  was  for  many  years,  to 
all  intents  and  purposes,  a  town  library.  Mr.  Sanger 
was  the  minister  of  the  whole  people,  and  his  was  the 
only  church  in  town.  After  the  organization  of  the 
Baptist  and  Second  Congregational  Churches,  it  became, 
however,  more  of  a  parish  library  ;  and  the  circulation 
of  books  was  largely  among  the  people  of  the  First 
Parish  Church. 

The  library  was  open  for  the  delivery  of  books  on 
Saturday  afternoons,  twice  in  each  month.  The  books 
were  placed  in  substantial  book-cases,  and  the  library 
was  kept  in  excellent  condition.  The  dignity  of  the 
librarian  called  for  the  strictest  propriety ;  and  the 
decorous  conduct  of  the  young  people  is  recalled  to  this 
day.  After  the  destruction  of  Mr.  Sanger's  house,  in 
1857,  the  books  were  removed  to  the  residence  of  Isaac 
Howe,  but  were  not  circulated. 

Mr.  Sanger  recognized  the  limitations  of  an  associate 
library,  and  suggested  the  organization  of  a  town  library 
in  the  following  words  :  — 

Such  a  library  would  be  the  property  of  the  town,  and  would 
be  open  to  every  family  in  the  town.  Its  privileges  would  be 
shared  alike  by  all,  whether  rich  or  poor.  Like  the  sun  and  air, 
it  would  shed  its  enlightening  and  healthful  influence  upon  all. 
Our  schools  teach  all  who  attend  them  to  read  ;  but  many  who 
have  learned  to  read  cannot,  after  they  have  left  school,  procure 
many  valuable  books  which  it  would  be  pleasant  and  useful  for 
them  to  peruse. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  245 

A  town  library  could  furnish  them  such  books,  and  would  be 
advantageous  to  yourselves,  to  your  children,  and  to  unborn 
generations. 

At  the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  the  district  of 
Dover  the  citizens  were  nearly  all  poor,  in  the  general 
acceptance  of  that  term  ;  but  there  were  few  paupers. 
The  Revolution  had  entailed  a  fearful  expense  in  in- 
creased taxation,  great  loss  had  been  sustained  in  the 
depreciation  of  currency,  in  some  instances  what 
formed  the  accumulated  savings  of  years  had  been 
swept  away.  Some  of  the  young  men  left,  with  their 
families,  and  settled  at  Westminster,  Lunenburg,  and 
others  went  as  far  as  Vermont. 

A  township  in  Massachusetts  is  only  under  obliga- 
tions to  support  paupers  born  within  its  limits  or  who 
have  "  acquired  a  settlement  "  therein.  Early  precau- 
tions were  taken  that  undesirable  persons  should  not 
become  a  public  charge.  The  first  warrant  of  the 
selectmen,  issued  August  21,  1784,  was  to  Theodore 
Newell,  constable,  directing  him  to  warn  Joseph 
Senaah,  a  negro  or  mulatto,  received  as  a  boarder  by 
James  Draper,  to  depart  from  the  district.  The  select- 
men issued  frequent  warrants  to  the  constable  that 
"  you  are  hereby  required  forthwith  to  warn  and  cau- 
tion the  persons  hereafter  named  to  depart  out  of  the 
district  of  Dover  within  fourteen  days." 

Such  entries  as  the  following  were  often  made  in  the 
records:  "March  7,  1792.  I  was  informed  by  Seth 
Wight  that  he  had  taken  in  a  girl  from  the  town  of 
Sherborn,  into  his  family.  Name  is  Polly  Rice.  Came 
to  his  house  August  16,  1791." 

The  poor  at  first  were  boarded  in  families,  but  later 
an  almshouse  was  established. 


246  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

The  selectmen  purchased  the  William  Bacon  place 
on  Pine  Street  in  1817,  which  was  used  for  some  years 
as  an  almshouse.  The  district  sold  the  farm  at  public 
auction,  April  18,  1825,  to  Jonathan  Whiting  for  four 
hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars.  It  contained  fifteen 
acres  with  house  and  barn. 

March  5,  1821,  it  was  voted  "that  the  paupers  be 
put  out  at  auction  to  those  who  will  take  them  on 
the  best  terms,  excepting  those  as  in  the  opinion  of  the 
overseers  could  not  be  put  up  at  auction  for  the  advan- 
tage of  the  district."  The  public  auction  took  place  at 
the  tavern  March  19,  and  was  a  most  pathetic  scene. 
Later  the  board  of  overseers  of  the  poor  provided  for 
paupers  in  private  families  or  by  giving  them  a  stated 
monthly  allowance.  Dea.  Joseph  Larrabee  in  1865  be- 
queathed to  the  town  all  his  property  in  the  following 
will  :  - 

In  the  name  of  God,  I,  Joseph  Larrabee,  of  Dover,  in  the 
county  of  Norfolk  and  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts,  being 
in  feeble  health,  but  of  sound  and  disposing  mind  and  memory, 
do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament.  I  commit  my  soul  to 
God,  the  author  of  it,  and  my  body  to  the  earth,  to  be  decently 
buried  at  the  discretion  of  my  executor  hereinafter  mentioned. 
As  to  my  worldly  estate,  I  hereby  dispose  of  the  same  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner :  First,  I  order  that  my  funeral  expenses  and  all 
my  just  debts  be  paid  out  of  my  personal  and  real  estate ;  second, 
I  give,  bequeath,  and  devise  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  aforesaid 
town  of  Dover  all  my  real  and  personal  estate,  wherever  found 
and  not  otherwise  disposed  of,  to  be  forever  held  by  said  inhabi- 
tants and  their  successors. 

The  income,  profits,  rents,  and  receipts  thereof  shall  be  used 
for  the  relief,  comfort,  and  benefit  of  the  poor  persons  who  have 
a  legal  settlement  in  said  Dover,  the  same  to  be  under  the  direc- 
tions and  at  the  discretion  of  three  trustees,  who  shall  be  chosen 


CIVIL    HISTORY  247 

by  the  legal  voters  of  said  town  of  Dover  at  a  meeting  legally 
called  for  that  purpose,  and  said  trustees  shall  hold  their  office 
for  the  term  of  five  years  and  until  others  are  legally  chosen. 

I  recommend  that  said  trustees  use  at  their  discretion  a  portion 
of  said  income  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  worthy  aged  and 
feeble  persons  who  are  not  able  wholly  to  maintain  themselves. 

I  hereby  nominate  and  appoint  Calvin  Richards,  Esq.,  of  said 
Dover,  to  be  sole  executor  of  this  my  last  will,  directing  my  said 
executor  to  pay  all  my  debts  and  funeral  expenses. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal, 
and  publish  and  declare  this  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament  in 
the  presence  of  the  witnesses  named  below,  this  fifteenth  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1865. 

So  long  as  the  parish  and  town  were  one,  the  people 
naturally  assembled  in  the  meeting-house  for  all  public 
gatherings.  A  few  years  previous  to  the  separation  of 
the  town  and  parish  an  effort  was  made  to  build  a  town 
hall  in  connection  with  a  new  schoolhouse  in  the 
Center  District  ;  but  the  proposition  did  not  have  a 
hearty  support,  and  failed.  After  the  burning  of  the 
meeting-house  in  1839  the  town  chose  a  committee,  con- 
sisting of  Capt.  Walter  Stowe,  Capt.  Lowell  Perry, 
Jeremiah  Marden,  Capt.  John  Shumway,  and  Joseph  A. 
Smith,  to  confer  with  the  First  Parish,  and  see  if 
arrangements  could  be  made  by  which  the  town  could 
build  a  vestry  under  the  new  church,  to  be  owned  and 
controlled  by  the  town.  Mutually  favorable  terms  were 
arranged  with  the  parish  committee ;  and  the  town 
voted  to  build  a  vestry  forty  feet  long,  twenty-seven 
and  three-fourths  feet  wide,  and  eight  feet  high,  at  a 
cost  of  three  hundred  dollars. 

This  vestry,  or  "town  hall,"  as  it  was  called,  was  first 
occupied  December  2,  1839.  It  was  immediately  im- 


248  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

proved  by  building  a  porch  over  the  door.  This 
arrangement  served  the  town  cheaply  for  many  years ; 
but,  as  it  was  dark,  damp,  and  poorly  ventilated,  early 
efforts  were  made  to  furnish  a  more  suitable  place.  In 
1859  Aaron  Bacon  and  thirty-eight  others  petitioned 
for  the  building  of  a  town  hall.  The  question  was  con- 
sidered by  the  town,  but  finally  failed.  The  war  and  a 
burden  of  debt  prevented  the  farther  consideration  of 
the  subject  for  many  years.  The  town  appropriated  in 
1879  three  thousand  dollars,  and  voted  to  build  a  town 
hall  on  the  common,  with  Eben  Higgins,  Warren 
Sawin,  and  William  A.  Howe  as  a  committee  to  pro- 
cure plans  for  a  building  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the 
town.  The  committee  reported  in  favor  of  erecting  a 
two-story  building.  The  plan  did  not  meet  with  uni- 
versal acceptance,  but  the  committee  was  instructed 
to  proceed  with  the  work.  A  commanding  site  on 
the  common  facing  Springdale  Avenue  was  selected. 
The  work  progressed  rapidly ;  and  the  building  was 
boarded  and  slated,  when  on  the  afternoon  of  July  16, 
1879,  it  was  struck  by  a  cyclone,  and  completely  de- 
molished. 

One  of  the  workmen  was  killed,  and  others  injured. 
After  much  deliberation  the  town  voted  to  commence 
again,  and  put  the  work  in  the  hands  of  the  selectmen, 
Capt.  John  Humphrey,  Barnabas  Paine,  and  Asa  Tal- 
bot.  The  town  sustained  a  loss  of  nineteen  hundred 
and  twenty-six  dollars  and  eighty-five  cents  in  the 
destruction  of  the  first  building.  Another  appropria- 
tion was  made.  The  committee  made  arrangements 
with  the  contractor  of  the  first  building,  Herbert 
Moseley,  of  Nccdham,  to  erect  the  new  one. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  249 

The  committee  chose  another  site  on  the  same 
avenue,  and  decided  to  build  a  one-story  hall  with 
basement,  after  plans  made  by  Thomas  W.  Silloway, 
of  Boston.  The  building  has  good  appointments,  with 
several  ante-rooms  besides  its  main  room,  seating  four 
hundred,  with  ample  stage  facilities.  It  is  finished  in 
hard  wood  and  handsomely  frescoed.  The  tower,  which 
rises  from  the  ground,  is  surmounted  with  a  flag-staff. 
The  building,  when  completed  and  furnished,  cost  four 
thousand  four  hundred  and  ninety-nine  dollars  and  four 
cents. 

The  town  relinquished  in  1889  all  rights  and  title  to 
the  old  town  hall.  The  whole  property  now  belongs  to 
the  First  Parish. 

The  town  hall  was  dedicated  June  17,  1880.  John 
C.  Coombs  was  president  of  the  day.  The  report  of 
the  building  committee  was  read  by  the  chairman,  Capt. 
John  Humphrey.  The  dedicatory  prayer  was  offered 
by  the  Rev.  Horatio  Alger,  of  South  Natick.  The 
address  was  delivered  by  Frank  Smith.  Short  ad- 
dresses were  made  by  many  friends  ;  and  the  exercises 
closed  with  the  singing  of  the  following  ode,  composed 
for  the  occasion  by  the  Rev.  Charles  C.  Sewell,  of 
Medfield:- 

The  paths  of  knowledge  to  pursue, 

To  store  the  mind  with  truth, 
Employment  give  to  highest  powers, 

Life's  duty  teach  to  youth ; 

To  gather  from  historic  page 

The  story  of  the  past, 
And  trace  the  lines  on  Nature's  face 

No  human  hand  e'er  cast, — 


250  H IS IV RY    OF   DOVER 

These  are  the  ends  at  which  we  aim, 
And  to  them  consecrate 

The  house  we  build  with  liberal  hand, 
And  now  we  dedicate. 

In  moral  good,  pure  social  joys 
Which  leave  no  sting  behind, 

The  spirit,  worn  by  daily  toil, 
Refreshment  here  shall  find. 

The  citizen  shall  quickened  be 
To  seek  the  public  good, 

The  public  feeling  elevate, 
And  right  make  understood. 

Let  voice  of  passion  ne'er  ring  here, 
Nor  din  of  strife  be  heard  ; 

Nor  principle  give  place  to  wrong, 
No  enmity  be  stored. 

Sacred  the  rights  of  each  be  held, 
To  be  maintained  by  all ; 

And  all  for  common  good  alone 
Echo  each  other's  call. 

Lord,  hear  our  heartfelt,  earnest  prayer, 
And  grant  thy  blessing  here, 

That  hence  for  wisdom,  virtue,  peace, 
This  place  to  all  be  dear. 


There  was  an  immense  attendance,  and  the  hall  was 
beautifully  decorated  with  potted  plants.  Appropriate 
music  was  rendered  by  an  orchestra  and  quartette. 
With  the  growth  of  orders  and  the  establishment  of  a 
public  library,  the  town  hall  was  found  to  be  inadequate  ; 
and  in  the  spring  of  1893  the  town  appointed  Eben 
Higgins,  Barnabas  Paine,  and  Benjamin  N.  Sawin  a 
committee  to  consider  the  improvement  of  the  building. 


TOWN    HALL. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  251 

The  committee  presented  several  plans,  but  suggested 
the  raising  of  the  building  and  putting  underneath  a 
story  eleven  feet  high.  The  report  of  the  committee 
was  accepted,  and  the  town  voted  to  raise  the  building. 
The  work  was  completed  during  the  fall  of  1893  at  a 
cost  of  three  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-four 
dollars  and  twenty-eight  cents.  The  present  propor- 
tions of  the  town  hall  are  forty  feet  by  sixty,  with 
thirty-foot  posts.  A  fine  banquet  hall,  library,  kitchen, 
toilet  and  town  officers'  rooms  were  provided,  with  a 
fireproof  vault  for  the  protection  of  town  records. 

The  citizens  placed  a  beautiful  piano  in  the  town  hall 
in  1887,  which  was  manufactured  by  a  native  of  the 
town,  Samuel  G.  Chickering,  of  Boston.  The  piano 
was  dedicated  on  the  evening  of  March  29  with  a  fine 
musical  and  literary  programme.  Later  the  instrument 
was  presented  to  the  town. 

Noanet's  Hall  was  situated  at  Charles  River  Village, 
and  was  owned  by  Josiah  Newell.  Here  for  more  than 
half  a  century  were  held  the  social  gatherings  of  the 
neighborhood  and  often  of  the  town.  Here  was  organ- 
ized in  1818  the  first  Sunday-school.  In  this  hall  were 
held  the  public  religious  services  which  led  in  1881  to 
the  organization  of  the  Union  Congregational  Society. 
Finally  the  building  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger,  who  had  done  so  much  to  cul- 
tivate the  reading  habit  of  the  people,  first  in  the  circu- 
lation of  books  from  his  own  library  and  later  in  the 
care  of  the  Proprietors'  Library  through  many  years, 
saw  the  importance  of  establishing  a  public  library,  as 
has  already  been  shown,  which  would  be  free  from  the 
limitations  of  a  church  or  a  proprietors'  library.  In 


252  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

1859  Dr.  Sanger  made  a  proposition  to  the  town  in 
reference  to  establishing  a  free  library,  offering  to  give 
his  right  in  the  Proprietors'  Library  to  the  town. 
This  offer  was  accepted ;  but  the  library  was  never 
established,  although  the  subject  was  several  times  con- 
sidered in  town-meeting.  The  matter  was  finally 
dropped,  a  committee  of  the  town  having  reported 
against  it.  In  1891  an  effort  was  made  to  accept  the 
provisions  of  the  General  Statutes,  by  which  small 
towns  are  aided  in  the  establishment  of  free  public 
libraries.  This  effort  likewise  failed,  but  two  years 
later  it  was  accepted.  At  the  annual  March  meeting 
in  1894  Walter  Storrs  Bigelow,  John  C.  Coombs,  and 
George  L.  Howe  were  chosen  trustees.  A  room  was 
fitted  up  in  the  town  hall  at  an  expense  of  three  hun- 
dred dollars  ;  and  a  library  of  more  than  five  hundred 
volumes  was  opened  for  the  distribution  of  books,  De- 
cember 22,  1894.  The  books  were  catalogued  in  the 
most  thorough  manner,  and  the  library  was  selected 
with  great  care.  It  now  numbers  eleven  hundred 
volumes. 

About  forty  years  ago  an  agricultural  library  was 
organized  through  the  labors  of  an  enterprising  pub- 
lishing-house. The  books  were  not  of  marked  value. 
They  were  little  read  and  soon  ceased  to  circulate. 

REPRESENTATIVES  TO  THE  GENERAL  COURT. 

Dedham  recognized  the  Springfield  Parish  in  electing 
Ebenezer  Battle  to  the  General  Court  in  1781.  The 
district  of  Dover  was  united  with  Meclfield  in  forming  a 
representative  district  from  soon  after  its  incorporation 


CIVIL    HISTORY 


253 


to  the  organization  of  the  town  in  1836.  During  this 
period  Dover  sent  only  one  resident  to  the  General 
Court. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  was  the  first  representative 
after  the  incorporation  of  the  town.  The  list  is  as 
follows  :  — 


Calvin  Richards,  1830-31. 
Ralph  Sanger,  1837,  1845, 

1847,  1851,  1854. 
Calvin  Richards,  2d,  1840.  1852. 
Elijah  Perry,  Jr.,  1846. 
Constitutional  Convention. 

1853,  Luther  Richards. 


Henry  Horton,  1858. 
Theodore  Dunn,  1864. 
Abner  L.  Smith,  1869. 
Amos  W.  Shumway,  1871, 
John  Humphrey,  1877. 
Frank  Smith,  1887. 


SELECTMEN. 
(The  final  figure  stands  for  number  of  years  of  service  after  first  election.) 


Fisher  Allen.  1786-4 

Jared  Allen,  1842 

Timothy  Allen,  1793~3 

Timothy  Allen,  2d,  1835-1 

Aaron  Bacon,  1849-2 

George  Battelle,  1 888-1 

John  Battelle,  1846-3 

Sherman  Battelle,  1846 

Ebenezer  Battle,  1 792-2 

Jonathan  Battle,  1804 

Jonathan  Battle,  Jr.,  1816-3 

Ralph  Battle,  1828-4 

Charles  A.  Bigelow,  1863-3 

Linus  Bliss,  1864 

John  Burridge,  1805-2 

Simeon  Cheney,  1802-5 

George  Chickering.  1824 
George  E.  Chickering,  1869-1 


James  Chickering,  1871-2 

William  Cleveland,  1853-1 

Bailey  Cobb,  1842-2 

Jesse  Draper,  1805-10 

Luther  Eastman,  1837-2 

George  D.  Everett,  1865-3 

Samuel  Fisher,  1791-6 

Noah  Fiske,  1824-4 

Prescott  Fiske,  1879 

John  P.  Ford,  1849-2 

Henry  Goulding,  1845 

Joseph  Haven,  1785-2 

Noah  Haven,  1796 

J.  W.  Higgins,  1890-6 

Henry  Horton,  1858-3 

Albion  H.  Howe,  1867-2 

Alonzo  Howe,  1847 

John  Humphrey,  1876-4 


254 


HISTORY    OF    DOVER 


Adam  Jones, 

i  793-4 

Richard  Richards, 

1795-1 

Hiram  W.  Jones, 

1836-3 

William  Richards,  2d, 

1828-1 

John  Jones, 

1785 

Benj.  N.  Sawin. 

1855-11 

Daniel  Mann, 

1809-17 

Warren  Sawin, 

1874-1 

James  Mann, 

i  786-8 

Amos  W.  Shumway, 

1847-23 

James  Mann,  Jr., 

1833 

A.  W.  Shumway,  2d, 

1895 

Simeon  Mann, 

1817-1 

Abner  L.  Smith, 

1863-7 

James  McGill, 

1887-4 

Charles  H.  Smith, 

1882-6 

Ebenezer  Newell, 

1785-5 

Joseph  Smith, 

1893-1 

Jesse  Newell,  Jr., 

1837-4 

Joseph  A.  Smith, 

1844 

Josiah  Newell, 

1805-13 

Lewis  Smith, 

i  808-  i 

Thomas  C.  Norton, 

iSSo-i 

Walter  Stowe, 

IS33-5 

Barnabas  Paine, 

1873-6 

Asa  Talbot, 

1869-8 

Elijah  Perry,  Jr., 

i843-3 

Henry  Tisdale, 

1797-1 

Jonathan  Perry, 

1852 

James  Tisdale, 

1822-1 

Lowell  Perry, 

1834-2 

Aaron  Whiting. 

i  795-3 

John  Ply  mp  ton, 

1808 

Amos  Wight, 

i  792-4 

George  Post, 

1892-4 

Caleb  Wight, 

1816 

Calvin  Richards, 

1808-13 

Ephraim  \Vilson, 

1828-4 

Calvin  Richards,  2d, 

1840-5 

Ephraim  Wilson,  2cl, 

1855-5 

Luther  Richards, 

1833-3 

Henry  Winchinbach, 

1876 

TOWN-CLERKS. 

Hezekiah  Allen. 

1805 

Eben  Higgins, 

i  890-6 

Ralph  Battelle, 

1829-3 

John  Jones, 

1785 

Ebenezer  Battle, 

1792-2 

Ebenezer  Newell, 

i  788-3 

Jesse  Draper, 

1803-1  7 

Calvin  Richards, 

i  822—2 

Samuel  Fisher, 

i  795-1 

Luther  Richards, 

i's33-3 

Noah  A.  Fiske, 

1825-24 

Abner  L.  Smith. 

1X59-17 

Joseph  Haven, 

1786-1 

Allen  F.  Smith, 

1  889 

Noah  Haven, 

1797-5 

Charles  H.  Smith. 

1877-11 

CIVIL    HISTORY 


255 


Hezekiah  Allen, 
Aaron  Bacon, 
Ebenezer  Battle, 
Jonathan  Battle, 
Sherman  Battle, 
George  Chickering, 
Jesse  Chickering, 
Nathaniel  Chickering, 


TREASURERS. 

1786  George  D.  Everett,  1877-11 

1 868-8  Joseph  Haven,  1785 

1788  Eben  Higgins,  1889-7 

1809-2  Hiram  W.  Jones,  1864-3 

1854-9  Daniel  Mann,  1823-6 

1821-21  Josiah  Newell,  1806-4 

1800-5  Lowell  Perry,  1 835-1 

1798-12  Lewis  Smith,  1811-7 


SUPERINTENDENTS    OF    SCHOOLS. 


Rev.  A.  E.  Battelle,  1868-70. 
H.  Emily  Chickering,  1875-76. 
Theodore  Dunn,  1867. 
Martha  A.  Everett,  1877-84. 
Helen  M.  Jones,  1892. 


Edmund  B.  Otis,  1871-73. 
Rev.  George  Procter,  1865. 
Frank  Smith,  1885-91,  1893- 

96. 
Joseph  A.  Smith,  1874. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

CIVIL     HISTORY.—  Continued. 

HIGHWAYS  —  FIRST  ROAD  —  COURT  STREET  —  MEDFIELD 
ROAD  —  WALPOLE  STREET  —  LABOR  ON  HIGHWAYS  — 
BREAKING  ROADS  IN  WINTER  —  TRAINING  DAYS  — 
PARKS  —  COMMON  —  SPRINGDALE  PARK  —  METROPOLI- 
TAN PARK  SYSTEM  —  CHARLES  RIVER  RAILROAD  — 
CHARLES  RIVER  BRANCH  RAILROAD  —  NEW  ENGLAND 
RAILROAD. 

"  The  road  the  human  being  travels, 
That  on  which  blessing  comes  and  goes,  doth  follow 
The  river's  course,  the  valley's  playful  windings, 
Curves  round  the  corn-field  and  the  hill  of  vines." 

The  evolution  of  the  highway  illustrates  the  condition 
of  a  people.  In  the  early  time,  when  our  population 
was  homogeneous  and  each  was  neighbor  to  the  other, 
when  all  traced  their  lineage  to  the  early  Puritan  set- 
tlers, when  it  was  the  fashion  to  share  one  another's 
joys  and  sorrows,  when  there  was  the  fullest  co-operation 
among  housewives  in  apple-bees  and  quilting-parties, 
when  the  men  exchanged  work  in  clearing  fields  and  in 
breaking  up  lots,  when  in  the  hour  of  sickness  or  death 
the  whole  community  shared  in  anxiety  or  sorrow,  the 
roads  were  built  that  the  people  might  have  more  easy 
intercourse  with  one  another. 

With  the  change  in  population  and  surroundings,  the 
use  of  the  highway  has  changed.  Now  only  the  main 


CIVIL   HISTORY  257 

thoroughfares  are  much  used,  and  during  the  last  half 
century  more  miles  of  roads  have  been  discontinued  than 
have  been  built.  To  the  student  of  affairs  this  marks  a 
change  in  the  habits  of  the  people. 

The  roads  at  first  were  only  bridle-paths  and  "  wind- 
ing, as  old  roads  will." 

The  first  road  undoubtedly  led  from  Dedham  over 
Strawberry  Hill,  along  the  bank  of  the  Charles  River,  to 
the  Indian  village  at  South  Natick.  It  was  over  this 
road  that  Governor  Endicott  rode  in  the  declining  hours 
of  a  summer's  day  in  1658,  in  passing  from  the  Indian 
settlement  to  the  house  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen,  of  Ded- 
ham, where  he  passed  the  night. 

County  Street,  which  extends  but  a  short  distance  in 
Dover,  is  another  very  old  road.  George  Washington 
passed  over  this  street  in  1775,  on  ni§  journey  from 
Virginia  to  Cambridge,  Mass.,  to  take  command  of  the 
American  army. 

A  road  was  early  extended  across  this  territory  from 
Medfield  to  the  Indian  settlement  at  Natick.  Few  if 
any  houses  were  built  on  the  road,  and  in  later  years  it 
was  wholly  relocated.  It  extended  much  to  the  east 
of  the  present  street  leading  from  Medfield  to  South 
Natick.  The  chief  roadway  of  the  town  extended  east 
and  west,  passing  through  the  center,  thence  around 
by  Pegan  Hill,  then  westward  to  Farm  Bridge.  Along 
this  street  were  built  the  happy  homes  where  the  early 
settlers 

••  Felled  the  ungracious  oak, 
With  hurried  toil 
Dragged  from  the  soil 
The  thrice-snarled  roots  and  stubborn  rock." 


258  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

After  separation  from  Dedham  steps  we're  taken  to 
build  new  roads  and  permanently  to  improve  the  high- 
ways. The  main  thoroughfares  of  the  town,  however, 
were  all  built  before  this  period. 

The  grade  of  Springdale  Avenue  was  somewhat 
improved  by  the  lowering  of  Meeting-house  Hill  in 
1862.  After  the  building  of  the  railroad  that  part  of 
Springdale  Avenue  east  of  the  railroad  was  left  in  a  bad 
condition.  In  1861  the  town  instructed  the  selectmen 
to  communicate  with  the  railroad  company  and  have  the 
street  put  in  "  passable  condition,"  but  all  efforts  were 
unavailing.  The  county  commissioners  in  1872  took 
the  matter  in  hand,  and  laid  out  a  street  from  the  rail- 
road to  Center  Street,  which  was  built  after  their 
specifications. 

Walpole  Street  was  built  through  several  extensions. 
A  part  of  this  street  was  the  first  road  made  after  the 
organization  of  the  parish.  It  was  built  from  the  meet- 
ing-house to  the  farm  of  John  Cheney,  now  owned  by 
Thomas  Coughlan.  Later  the  road  was  extended  to  the 
Nathaniel  Chickering  homestead,  and  in  1789  was  built 
through  to  the  Hartford  turnpike,  and  later  extended  on 
the  petition  of  Billings  Tisdale  to  County  Street.  Sev- 
eral new  streets  followed  the  introduction  of  manufact- 
uring in  1795.  Mill  Street  was  laid  out  and  accepted 
April  3,  1797.  An  effort  was  made  at  this  time  to  build 
Willow  Street,  but  was  not  accomplished  until  five  years 
later,  although  the  street  was  laid  out  by  the  selectmen 
in  1797. 

The  building  of  Mill  Street  caused  much  trouble  and 
litigation,  as  Lieut.  Lemuel  Richards  was  not  satisfied 
with  the  award  made  him  for  land  damages.  A  new 


CIVIL    HISTORY  259 

road  was  laid  out  in  1814  which  united  Mill  and  Willow 
Streets  near  Captain  Newell's  store,  and  extended  to 
the  center  of  Charles  River.  This  was  named  the 
"  New  Mill  Road."  The  mill  company  took  the  con- 
tract to  build  Mill  and  Willow  Streets  for  three  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars,  which  was  appropriated  by  the  district. 
The  company  built  the  roads  without  bridges  over  the 
sluiceways,  which  caused  much  trouble  in  later  years. 

Farm  Street  was  originally  a  part  of  the  road  leading 
from  Medfield  to  South  Natick.  The  location  of  the 
road  was  changed  in  1792,  commencing  near  the  Med- 
field line.  Wilsondale  Street,  over  Strawberry  Hill,  was 
improved  by  Ephraim  Wilson  in  1799,  the  town  having 
given  him  permission  to  "  turn  the  road  between  his 
house  and  Mr.  Jabez  Baker's  "  and  make  it  passable,  free 
of  cost  to  the  district.  Other  changes  were  made  in 
the  road  in  1850  and  in  1862. 

The  street  extending  through  the  Cheney  estate  was 
laid  out  in  1 804,  and  some  changes  afterwards  suggested 
by  Mr.  Jones  were  accepted  by  the  town.  In  1880  the 
street  was  discontinued  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Cheney, 
who  agreed  to  maintain  the  road  at  his  own  expense. 

Smith  Street  was  first  laid  out  by  the  town  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1808,  and  discontinued  the  latter  part  of  the  same 
year.  Benjamin  Guy  received  one  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars  for  damages,  agreeing  to  give  Mr.  Plympton  per- 
mission to  pass  through  his  land  "  by  punctually  putting 
up  the  bars." 

In  1816  the  selectmen  again  laid  out  the  street,  which 
led  to  much  discussion ;  but  the  matter  was  finally 
settled  by  the  county  commissioners,  who  laid  out  the 
road  in  1818. 


260  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

Center  Street  was  completed  and  made  a  public  way 
through  several  extensions.  In  1812  the  town  accepted 
a  road  laid  out  from  Jesse  Newell's  to  the  Medfield  line, 
and  in  1830  the  two  parts  were  united  by  building  a 
link  from  Moses  Draper's  to  Jesse  Newell's. 

The  road  to  the  new  mill  was  built  in  1816  and  dis- 
continued in  1862.  The  road  was  built  by  the  New 
Mill  Company,  and  turned  over  to  the  town  at  an  ex- 
pense of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  which  was 
appropriated  for  the  purpose.  In  1819  permission  was 
given  to  the  company  by  the  town  "  to  place  a  gate 
across  the  road,"  as  it  was  not  much  used  by  the  travel- 
ing public. 

Efforts  were  early  made  to  build  a  road  from  Hollis- 
ton  to  Boston,  passing  through  this  town,  but  failed, 
although  the  matter  was  several  times  brought  up  in 
different  ways.  In  1840  a  renewed  effort  was  made  to 
build  the  "  Norfolk  Turnpike  "  for  the  following  reasons  : 
"  Dover  has  no  direct  road  to  Boston  that  is  passable  at 
all  times  of  the  year  ;  and  the  road  is  generally  bad,  very 
narrow,  and  not  sufficiently  wide  for  two  carriages  to 
pass.  We  think  it  is  founded  on  fact  that  there  is  not 
a  town  in  the  county  that  has  one  quarter  part  of  the 
tonnage  transported  to  and  from  Boston  annually  which 
the  town  of  Dover  has  according  to  its  population." 

Many  changes  were  proposed  in  the  way  of  straight- 
ening parts  of  I 'arm  Street,  but  without  avail  ;  and  the 
street  remains  to-day  substantially  as  it  was  a  century 
ago. 

Chapel  Street,  which  was  discontinued  on  the  com- 
pletion of  Springdale  Park,  was  laid  out  in  1835  on 
condition  that  it  should  be  built  without  expense  to  the 


CIVIL    HISTORY  261 

town.  It  was  accepted  on  petition  of  James  H.  Wight 
in  1844. 

Dover  Street  was  built  in  1852,  and  Church  Street  in 
1854- 

Pleasant  Street  was  laid  out  on  petition  of  Benja- 
min N.  Sawin,  and  built  in  1854.  An  effort  was  made 
in  1839  to  build  Glen  Street,  but  failed.  In  1855  the 
matter  was  taken  up  again  and  carried  through. 

Powisset  Street  was  discontinued  in  1884  from  Wai- 
pole  Street  to  the  house  of  Bernhardt  Post,  and  extended 
south  from  that  point  to  again  meet  Walpole  Street. 

A  new  street,  connecting  Glen  and  Wight  Streets, 
was  built  in  1895  ;  and  the  part  of  the  old  street  east  of 
the  intersecting  point  was  discontinued.  The  new 
street  was  made  a  part  of  Wight  Street,  and  so  named. 

In  1797  the  district  voted  "to  allow  twelve  and  a 
half  cents  for  each  hour's  labor  for  a  man  on  the  high- 
way and  the  same  sum  for  a  team." 

There  was  often  much  contention  over  streets  that 
led  only  to  the  homes  of  individuals.  In  1795  Josiah 
Bacon  received  liberty,  by  vote  of  the  district,  "  to  fence 
up  the  road  leading  to  Esquire  Jones's  till  rye  harvest." 

Provision  for  roads  was  often  made  in  the  ancient 
grants,  as  in  the  case  of  Joseph  Chickering,  to  whom  a 
grant  was  made  in  1750,  containing  a  right  of  highway. 
This  condition  led  to  much  litigation.  The  appropria- 
tion for  highways  was  first  made  in  Federal  money  in 
1798,  when  the  district  granted  five  hundred  dollars  for 
their  maintenance,  the  amount  being  two  and  a  half 
times  the  sum  appropriated  for  schools. 

A  road-scraper  was  first  purchased  in  1812.  Later 
the  town  was  divided  into  road-districts,  and  highway 


262  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

surveyors  were  elected  at  the  annual  town-meeting  to 
have  charge  of  the  roads.  This  office  was  often  much 
sought  after,  as  the  surveyors  had  the  privilege  of  work- 
ing out  the  non-residents'  tax  and  such  others  as  wished 
to  pay  their  highway  tax  in  money.  The  repairing  of 
the  roads,  except  the  scraping  and  gathering  of  loose 
stones  in  the  spring,  was  put  off  to  a  convenient  time 
in  the  early  summer,  when  the  whole  male  population 
was  called  out  to  work  on  the  roads.  The  district 
voted  in  1798  "that  two  thirds  of  the  highway  tax  be 
worked  out  in  June  and  the  remainder  in  September." 

It  was  expected  of  the  surveyor  that  he  would  at 
least  keep  the  road  near  his  own  house  in  good  condi- 
tion. 

Many  parts  of  the  highway  received  little  or  no  atten- 
tion until  in  the  revolution  of  the  office  a  new  resident 
was  elected. 

Permission  was  sometimes  given  to  individuals,  by 
vote  of  the  town,  to  work  out  their  highway  tax  on 
some  particular  piece  of  road,  as  in  1816:  "Voted  to 
grant  Mr.  Draper  Smith  liberty  to  work  out  his  high- 
way tax  in  the  lane  leading  from  his  house  to  the  road 
for  the  ensuing  year." 

Little  grading  was  done ;  and  the  work  consisted 
largely  of  clearing  out  the  gutters  on  either  side  and 
throwing  the  sod  and  worn-out  material  back  into  the 
road,  which  was  called  "rounding  it  up." 

As  winter  approached,  to  prevent  the  steep  hills  from 
washing  in  heavy  storms,  a  series  of  barriers  were  made, 
which  turned  the  water  into  the  gutters,  but  made  the 
roads  very  hard  to  ride  upon.  In  winter  after  a  snow- 
storm the  men  in  each  district  turned  out  with  their 


CIVIL    HISTORY  263 

ox-teams,  and  under  the  direction  of  the  surveyor  broke 
out  the  roads,  which  were  often  piled  high  with  snow. 

As  they  passed  along,  teams  were  frequently  added  ; 
and,  wherever  the  train  stopped,  the  cider-mug  was 
brought  forward  and  passed  with  their  jokes  from  lip  to 
lip.  They  made  their  way 

"  O'er  windy  hill,  through  clogged  ravine, 
And  woodland  paths  that  wound  between 
Low  drooping  pine-boughs,  winter-weighed." 

As  a  step  in  the  direction  of  improving  the  highways, 
surveyors  were  appointed,  by  the  selectmen  instead  of 
being  elected  at  the  annual  town-meeting.  In  this  way 
it  was  possible  to  choose  men  of  capacity  for  the  work  ; 
but  the  greatest  improvement  in  the  system  came  in 
the  appointment  of  a  superintendent  of  streets,  who 
now  has  the  full  charge  and  direction  of  the  highways. 

The  superintendent  has  shown  excellent  judgment 
in  trimming  out  the  roadside  growth  and  in  leaving 
good  specimens  of  various  species  of  trees  to  grow, 
although  they  do  not  always  stand  in  straight  lines. 
Clumps  of  barberry,  shadbush,  black  alder,  and  flower- 
ing dogwood,  which  are  "conspicuously  beautiful," 
should  be  left  to  grow,  that  the  streets  may  be  adorned 
with  shrubs  as  well  as  trees  and  wild-flowers.  The 
willows  and  alders  are  always  true  harbingers  of  spring. 

Oh,  these  old  roads  and  fields,  bounded,  divided,  and 
subdivided  by  the  rude  stone  wall,  how  they  stand  as 

"  Pathetic  monuments  of  vanished  men," 

who  cleared  their  fields,  and  made  their  walls  from  the 
boulders   dug  from   the  soil !     Touching  on  stone  walls, 


264  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Professor  Bailey,  of  Brown,  says  :  A  new  stone  wall,  to 
be  sure,  is  a  lovely  object ;  but  then  it  is  rarely  seen. 
Nature  claims  the  recent  and  the  old  as  hers,  and  soon 
subdues  with  lichens  the  raw  tints  of  the  granite,  and 
conceals  all  rectilinear  outlines  with  her  shrubbery  and 
flowers.  The  wild  plants  and  the  bushes,  which  the 
operations  of  husbandry  have  driven  from  the  fields, 
retreat  with  confidence  within  the  shadow  of  the 
walls,  assured  there  of  protection  and  a  home.  Who 
could  deliberately  denude  a  wall  of  this  its  ornamental 
clothing  ? 

Truly,  "stone  walls  do  not  a  prison  make"  :  to  minds 
innocent  and  quiet  they  may,  indeed,  prove  a  hermitage. 
They  are  our  American  ruins,  and  we  could  ill  spare 
them  from  the  landscape. 

Standing  on  the  hill  north  of  the  West  school- 
house  and  looking  towards  the  south,  the  eye  takes  in 
stretches  of  these  stone  walls,  which  would  make  mile 
upon  mile  in  the  aggregate.  How  truly  the  owners  of 
these  farms  have  entered  into  the  labors  of  others  ! 

The  stone  walls  of  New  England  are  eminently  appropriate 
and  picturesque.  The  individual  boulders  which  form  them  are 
fine  exponents  of  the  law  of  variety,  both  in  form  and  color ; 
while  many  elements  of  beauty,  of  interest,  of  utility,  and  appro- 
priateness dwell  within  them. 

The  conditions  of  prosperity  have  changed  in  a  half 
century  :  manufacturing  has  ceased,  profitable  farming 
has  declined,  and  many  expedients  are  now  resorted  to 
to  round  out  farm  life.  The  future  prosperity  of  the 
town  depends  upon  the  development  of  natural  advan- 
tages in  view  of  our  close  proximity  to  city  life.  Sons 


CIVIL    HISTORY  265 

of  Dover  engaged  in  business  must  be  called  back  to 
live  upon  these  hills.  Strangers  should  be  drawn  here 
to  establish  homes  amid  this  wealth  of  natural  beauty. 
In  the  maintenance  of  roads  the  aesthetic  side  must  be 
considered  as  well  as  the  economic. 

For  thirty  years  strangers  have  been  daily  passing 
through  this  town  on  railway  trains  without  ever  stop- 
ping to  view  its  extended  beauty.  With  the  advent  of 
the  bicycle  all  has  changed,  and  hundreds  of  persons 
from  the  city  and  surrounding  towns  are  becoming 
better  acquainted  with  this  region  than  many  of  the 
residents  themselves. 

4 

They  find  a  charm  upon  the  placid  Charles,  or  as 
they  wheel  along  our  winding  streets  amid  the  beauty 
of  forest  trees  and  cultivated  fields.  The  landscape, 
with  magnificent  sky  effects,  presents  a  picture  of  great 
beauty,  whether  seen  from  hill  or  dale,  of  which  the 
true  lover  of  nature  never  tires.  As  a  means  of  draw- 
ing desirable  residents  to  the  town  no  better  invest- 
ment can  be  made  than  the  systematic  development  of 
picturesque  beauty  in  the  roads  and  in  the  landscape. 

Let  us  be  thankful  that  our  lines  are  cast  in  the 
country  amid  scenes  of  which  we  never  tire,  and  sur- 
rounded by  beauties  fresh  with  each  changing  and  suc- 
ceeding season.  Let  us  make  our  town  so  attractive 
that  when  friendships  fade,  and  books  grow  dull,  and 
the  theatres  and  the  opera  lose  their  charm,  we  may 
attract  men  and  women  to  the  country,  to  be  interested, 
instructed,  and  elevated  through  the  great  open  page  of 
nature. 

The  frontispiece  shows  one  of  the  arched  stone 
bridges  jointly  owned  by  Dover  and  Needham.  The 


266  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

building  of  stone  bridges  cannot  be  too  strongly  urged. 
Iron  rusts,  wood  decays  ;  but  a  well-built  stone  bridge 
will  last  for  centuries,  and  is  maintained  at  a  minimum 
of  expense.  Nevvell's  Bridge  was  built  at  a  trifling  cost 
to  the  two  towns,  and  has  proved  to  be  very  economical, 
demanding  few  repairs,  and  these  easily  made. 

On  this  subject  W.  H.  Downs  says:  "There  are  no 
structures  made  by  human  hands  which  more  perfectly 
harmonize  with  natural  scenery  than  rightly  designed 
and  properly  constructed  stone  bridges.  A  stone  bridge 
with  rounded  arches  is  almost  inevitably  the  best  type 
of  union  between  utility  and  beauty.  No  other  sort  of 
bridges  can  ever  take  its  place."  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  time  will  speedily  come  when  our  three  wooden 
bridges  spanning  the  Charles  will  give  place  to  stone 
bridges  which  shall  be  conspicuous  illustrations  of  the 
beauty  of  simplicity. 

Dover  came  into  early  possession  of  a  park,  which 
was  called  "the  common.". 

In  1793  Henry  Tisdale  and  his  wife  deeded  to  the 
district  of  Dover,  for  fifteen  pounds,  nine-tenths  of  a 
tract  of  land  containing  three  acres,  on  the  expressed 
condition  that  it  was  to  be  held  "for  the  common  use 
and  benefit  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  forever."  This 
was  a  commanding  and  beautiful  piece  of  land  before 
the  construction  of  the  railroad,  which  made  a  deep  cut, 
dividing  it  from  the  grounds  of  the  two  religious  socie- 
ties. The  common  remained  in  a  rough  and  unsightly 
condition  for  many  years,  and  was  allowed  to  grow  up 
to  wood  and  underbrush.  It  was  finally  sloped  off 
towards  the  railroad  and  partially  enclosed  with  a  fence, 
but  remained  unkempt  for  many  years. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  267 

The  remaining  one-tenth  of  the  Tisdale  tract  was  set 
off  in  a  square  at  the  southeast  corner,  which  was  later 
owned  by  several  individuals.  In  1872  the  town  pur- 
chased the  square  and  removed  the  dwellings  there- 
from. 

In  1891  the  town  made  a  liberal  appropriation  for 
beautifying  this  park.  The  money  was  expended  under 
the  direction  of  the  selectmen.  The  grounds  were 
surveyed,  carefully  graded,  and  several  winding  paths 
made,  which  add  much  to  the  beauty  of  the  grounds. 
Sidewalks  were  constructed,  and  through  the  observ- 
ance of  Arbor  Day  the  park  has  been  surrounded  with 
a  row  of  shade  trees. 

The  dangerous  and  unsightly  land  at  the  junction 
of  Pleasant  Street  and  Springdale  Avenue,  which  was 
largely  occupied  with  cellar  holes,  was  taken  by  the 
town  in  1893  under  the  right  of  eminent  domain,  and 
converted  into  a  park.  The  spot  was  carefully  graded, 
and,  although  small  in  area,  is  capable  of  being  devel- 
oped into  a  beautiful  little  park. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  time  will  come  when  we 
shall  apply  a  little  touch  of  art  to  this  park,  and  utilize 
the  right  to  draw  water  from  the  never-failing  springs 
on  Pegan  Hill  in  a  drinking-fountain  for  man  and  beast, 
and  a  playing-fountain,  the  sight  of  which  shall  gladden 
the  heart  of  man.  The  people  of  an  older  civilization 
would  not  have  neglected  such  an  opportunity ;  for  they 
oftener  considered  that  "a  thing  of  beauty  is  a  joy 
forever,"  refining  and  ennobling  the  mind.  "  There 
seems,"  says  a  modern  writer,  "to  be  an  impression  that 
art  is  for  the  favorite  few  ;  that  it  is  in  no  practicable 
way  applicable  to  the  business  of  a  hard-working  farmer, 


268  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

and  is  not  convertible  into  such."  Let  us  have  a  little 
artistic  ardor  and  make  this  spot  as  beautiful  and 
picturesque  as  possible. 

Dover  is  included  in  the  Metropolitan  Park  System, 
which  was  established  with  a  board  of  commissioners 
by  the  General  Court  in  1893.  Within  this  metro- 
politan district  lie  thirty-seven  separate  and  independent 
municipalities,  comprising  twelve  cities  and  twenty-five 
towns,  with  a  population  of  a  million  people  and  taxed 
property  amounting  to  one  thousand  millions  of  dollars. 

Within  two  years  a  great  work  has  been  accomplished 
by  the  commissioners  in  different  parts  of  the  territory 
in  setting  apart  open  spaces,  such  as  the  Blue  Hill 
Reservation,  five  miles  in  length,  the  Stony  Brook 
Reservation,  and  the  Middlesex  Fells  Reservation, 
together  with  numerous  park  -  ways.  This  has  been 
accomplished  by  an  expenditure  of  two  million  three 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  which  is  met  by  the  issue  of 
bonds  running  forty  years  and  bearing  interest  at  three 
and  one  half  per  cent.  The  total  sum  to  be  collected 
from  the  district  annually  is  one  hundred  and  eleven 
thousand  two  hundred  and  fifty-three  dollars  and  ninety- 
nine  cents,  through  a  quinquennial  apportionment,  which 
at  present  requires  Boston  to  pay  fifty  per  cent,  of 
the  annual  requirement,  or  fifty-five  thousand  six  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  dollars,  while  Dover  pays  four 
one-thousandths  of  one  per  cent.,  or  forty-eight  dollars 
and  ninety-two  cents.  The  expenses  of  this  park 
system  may  be  at  any  time  increased,  as  the  law  pro- 
vides for  the  annual  collection  from  the  co-operating 
cities  and  towns  the  cost  of  maintaining  the  several 
reservations, —  the  sum  to  be  assessed  in  accordance 
with  quinquennial  apportionment. 


CIVIL    HISTORY  269 

In  the  early  time  every  able-bodied  male  citizen 
between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and  sixty  years  was 
obliged  to  belong  to  the  militia ;  and  four  times  a  year 
they  were  called  out  in  military  movements,  the  use  of 
arms,  shooting  at  marks,  and  other  military  exercises. 
Sometimes  the  militia  went  out  of  town,  frequently  to 
Walpole ;  and  on  such  occasions  they  were  paid  for 
their  day's  service.  The  balls  and  cartridges  were 
home-made,  and  residents  were  frequently  paid  for 
manufacturing  them.  In  1814  the  district  paid  "Ralph 
Battle  one  dollar  for  making  cartridges  and  finding 
paper  for  the  same."  Then  training-days  were  holidays 
to  the  old  men,  women,  and  children.  In  the  evolution 
of  outdoor  games  we  may  turn  to  the  "  general  training- 
day,"  when  the  rustic  life  of  the  young  people  was  first 
enlivened  by  athletic  sports. 

The  ammunition  used  by  the  militia  company  was 
stored  in  the  powder-house.  This  building  stood  until 
1852,  when  it  was  sold  at  public  auction  to  Calvin 
Richards  for  five  dollars  and  fifty  cents.  The  militia 
company  often  met  for  training  on  the  common  in 
front  of  the  Williams  Tavern,  and  at  such  times  the 
center  of  the  town  presented  a  very  animated  scene. 

Several  surveys  were  made  for  railroads  through 
Dover  as  early  as  1830.  One  of  the  first  was  a  survey 
from  Woonsocket,  R.I.,  to  meet  the  branch  road  which 
had  already  been  built  from  Dedham  to  Boston.  This 
survey  went  far  south  of  the  center  of  the  town.  The 
most  feasible  route  was  called  the  "  Air  Line,"  which 
was  proposed  to  run  from  Boston  to  New  York. 

As  the  survey  passed  through  the  center  of  the  town, 
the  residents  became  much  interested  in  the  project, 


270  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

and  contributed  largely  of  their  time  and  means  to  gain 
railroad  facilities.  As  the  proposed  road  was  to  be 
a  through  line,  it  received  much  opposition  from  the 
existing  railroad  companies. 

To  aid  in  getting  a  charter  for  this  road,  the  town  in 
1837  elected  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sanger  as  a  representative  to 
the  General  Court.  There  was  a  strenuous  effort  made 
in  Norfolk  County  about  this  time  to  gain  railroad 
facilities,  and  many  different  petitions  were  presented 
to  the  General  Court.  Those  on  the  west  side  of  the 
county  worked  for  what  was  called  the  "  Pettee  "  route, 
from  Brookline  to  Woonsocket,  while  others  petitioned 
for  the  "  Norfolk  County  "  route,  from  Dedham  through 
Walpole  and  Franklin  to  Blackstone.  The  latter  route 
received  the  endorsement  of  the  legislature. 

Otis  Pettee,  of  Newton,  Edgar  K.  Whitaker,  of  Need- 
ham,  and  Elijah  Perry,  of  Dover,  were  granted  a  charter 
in  1 849  for  the  construction  of  the  Charles  River  Branch 
Railroad  "from  some  convenient  point  on  the  Boston 
&  Worcester  Railroad,  near  Angers  Corner  in  Newton, 
or  from  a  point  on  the  Brookline  branch  through  New- 
ton, East  Needham,  to  a  convenient  point  in  Dover." 
The  granting  of  this  charter  was  hailed  by  the  residents 
of  Dover  with  great  delight.  A  celebration  was  held 
on  Miller's  Hill,  which  came  to  a  sad  ending,  as  George 
Bliss  was  instantly  killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  cannon 
which  he  was  firing.  The  Charles  River  Branch  Rail- 
road was  first  open  as  far  as  Newton  Upper  Falls  and 
later  to  Needham.  It  was  operated  by  the  Boston  & 
Worcester  Company,  and  connected  with  the  Brookline 
Branch  Railroad. 

In  1851  Luther  Met  calf,  of  Medway,  Jonathan  Bishop, 


foil 

i»  #?  ,    v;i  , 


CIVIL    HISTORY  271 

of  Medfield,  and  Noah  J.  Arnold,  of  Bellingham,  were 
granted  a  charter  for  the  Charles  River  Railroad  to  be 
built  "  from  a  convenient  point  at  or  near  the  terminal 
of  the  Charles  River  Branch  Railroad  in  Dover,  passing 
through  Medfield,  Medway,  and  North  Franklin  to  a 
convenient  point  in  the  town  of  Bellingham." 

The  town  voted,  August  4,  1853,  to  give  the  Charles 
River  Branch  Railroad  and  the  Charles  River  Railroad 
Companies  permission  to  take  earth  from  the  common 
land  belonging  to  the  town,  under  the  direction  of  the 
selectmen  and  Capt.  Timothy  Allen  and  James  Chicker- 
ing.  Isaac  Howe  gave  the  land  for  the  station,  and 
residents  took  twenty  thousand  dollars  worth  of  the 
corporation's  stock.  After  many  extensions  of  time  and 
much  difficulty  the  road  in  August,  1861,  was  opened 
as  far  as  Medfield,  and  later  extended  to  Woonsocket. 
The  town  decided  to  co-operate  with  individuals  and 
the  railroad  company  in  grading  for  a  station.  In  1862 
it  was  voted  to  lower  Meeting-house  Hill  and  to  assist  in 
grading  for  a  station,  "  provided  eighty  dollars  is  raised 
by  private  subscription  and  one  hundred  and  seventy 
dollars  is  expended  by  the  railroad  company."  The  ap- 
proaches to  the  station  and  the  grounds  should  be  still 
further  enlarged  and  graded. 

The  New  York  &  Boston  Railroad  was  incorporated 
by  the  legislature  of  Connecticut  in  1846,  "to  build  a 
railroad  from  New  Haven  to  Middletovvn  and  then 
easterly  to  the  east  line  of  the  State  towards  the  city  of 
Boston."  In  1854  the  Woonsocket  Union  Railroad  was 
united  with  the  New  York  &  Boston  Railroad.  In 
1855  the  General  Court  united  the  Charles  River 
Branch  Railroad  and  the  Charles  River  Railroad  with 


2J 2  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

the  New  York  &  Boston  Railroad,  under  the  latter 
name.  Ten  years  later  this  road,  by  vote  of  the  stock- 
holders, was  merged  with  the  Boston,  Hartford  &  Erie 
Railroad,  the  old  Norfolk  County.  Much  was  ex- 
pected from  this  union,  but  it  utterly  failed  to  produce 
any  benefits  ;  and  the  railroad  for  which  so  great  sacri- 
fices had  been  made  became  a  branch  of  the  main  line, 
from  which  the  business  as  far  as  possible  was  diverted. 
After  the  failure  of  the  -Boston,  Hartford  &  Erie  Rail- 
road it  was  reorganized  as  the  New  York  &  New 
England  ;  and  this  branch  became  a  part  of  the  Central 
Division  of  that  system. 

In  the  reorganization  of  the  road  in  1895  it  was 
called  the  "  New  England  Railroad  "  ;  and  a  few  months 
later  a  controlling  interest  was  purchased  by  the  New 
York,  New  Haven  &  Hartford  Railroad.  It  is  now 
under  the  management  of  that  great  system. 

At  first  there  were  only  a  morning  and  an  evening 
train  ;  but  through  the  years  the  service  has  been  in- 
creased to  six  daily  trains  in  either  direction,  with  two 
trains  on  Sunday. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

SOCIETIES    AND    ORGANIZATIONS. 

TEMPERANCE  REFORM — DRINKING  CUSTOM  AT  FUNERALS 
AND  ORDINATIONS — -CIDER-MILLS  —  NORFOLK  COUNTY 
TEMPERANCE  UNION  —  BAND  OF  HOPE  —  Soxs  OF  TEM- 
PERANCE —  SCHOOLHOUSE  MEETINGS  —  DOVER  TEM- 
PERANCE UNION  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRANGE  — 
NEEDHAM  FARMERS'  AND  MECHANICS'  ASSOCIATION  — 
DEBATING  SOCIETY  —  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  —  CENTEN- 
NIAL CELEBRATION. 

I  break  your  bonds  and  masterships, 

And  I  unchain  the  slave : 
Free  be  his  heart  and  hand  henceforth 

As  wind  and  wandering  wave. 

—  EMERSON. 

The  early  settlers  were  constantly  on  the  road  with 
their  ox-teams.  The  round  trip  to  Boston  occupied 
two  days.  Leaving  home  in  the  forenoon,  they  reached 
Boston  the  same  evening,  where  they  "put  up"  at  a 
tavern  over  night.  The  teamster  found  a  sleeping- 
room  in  the  large  hall  of  the  tavern,  with  beds 
arranged  on  either  side,  where  sometimes  fifty  tired 
men  turned  in  for  the  night.  That  was  in  the  day  of 
vigorous  health  and  strong  nerves,  and  the  loud  snoring 
did  not  seriously  disturb  or  keep  awake  the  weary  men. 
By  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  even  in  the  coldest 
winter  weather,  they  turned  out  and  fed  their  teams. 
They  usually  breakfasted  on  a  cold  lunch,  although 
facilities  were  offered  for  cooking  a  steak.  After  dis- 


274  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

posing  of  their  wood,  charcoal,  or  ship-timber,  and 
having  made  such  purchases  for  the  households  as 
their  frugal  habits  demanded,  they  faced  homeward, 
wnere  they  usually  arrived  in  the  early  hours  of  the 
evening. 

The  food  for  the  round  trip  was  put  up  at  home,  and 
consisted  of  Indian  bread,  meat,  and  rye  gingerbread, 
which  in  the  making  was  often  mixed  with  cider.  As 
so  much  of  their  food  was  eaten  cold  on  the  road,  it 
is  not  surprising  that  large  quantities  of  New  England 
rum  were  consumed.  In  almost  every  cellar  there  was 
a  set  of  casks,  holding  two,  four,  and  eight  quarts,  which 
were  frequently  replenished  with  rum.  In  the  fall  many 
barrels  of  cider  were  rolled  into  the  cellar.  The  cider 
was  usually  made  from  russet  apples,  which  were  grown 
in  large  quantities  in  the  vicinity.  In  winter  much 
of  the  cider  was  frozen  in  the  cask,  and  that  which 
remained  unfrozen  was  of  a  superior  flavor,  strength, 
and  color.  Every  grocery  store  retailed  "new  rum," 
as  it  was  called  ;  and  stores  of  this  class  were  more 
numerous  than  at  present. 

It  was  customary  to  furnish  liquor  on  all  occasions, — 
ordinations,  dedication  of  meeting-houses,  funerals,  and 
even  when  the  minister  made  social  calls.  The  parish- 
meetings  were  frequently  adjourned  for  a  half  hour  to 
"  Newell's  Inn,"  and  in  1819  John  Williams  was  paid 
one  dollar  and  fifteen  cents  "  for  drinks  furnished  the 
men  while  repairing  the  meeting-house."  As  late  as 
1823  the  town  paid  for  two  quarts  of  brand)'  and  two 
quarts  of  West  India  rum  furnished  at  the  funeral  of 
a  pauper.  These  were  the  conditions  amid  which  the 
people  lived  and  reared  their  families. 


SOCIETIES    AND    ORGANIZATIONS  275 

Apple  orchards  flourished  from  the  first  settlement 
of  the  town.  Some  of  the  trees  standing  to-day  show 
the  mammoth  growth  which  in  the  early  time  the  apple- 
tree  attained.  Apples  were  grown  not  alone  for  fruit, 
but  more  especially  for  cider  purposes. 

Cider-presses  sprang  up  in  different  parts  of  the 
town  ;  and  the  old  horse  going  round  at  the  end  of  a 
beam;  which  turned  the  cogged  wheels  connected  with 
the  hopper  where  the  apples  were  ground,  is  still  re- 
called. The  apple  cheese,  bound  in  straw,  was  placed 
on  the  press  under  great  wooden  screws,  which  made 
the  cider  flow. 

This  supply  of  cider,  however  harmless  before  fer- 
mentation, soon  became  hard  and  sour  and  capable  of 
producing  intoxication.  The  reform  in  the  habit  of 
drinking  hard  cider  has  gone  on  until  it  is  now  a  rare 
thing  for  a  farmer  to  put  cider  into  his  cellar  for  drink- 
ing purposes.  This  fact  shows  the  progress  of  the  tem- 
perance reform,  as  the  people  have  almost  wholly  given 
up  their  native  drink,  which  in  intoxication  made  them 
cross  and  quarrelsome. 

It  was  the  custom  for  employers  to  furnish  liquors  to 
their  employees.  Hiram  Jones,  after  listening  to  a 
lecture  by  John  11  Gough,  resolved  to  break  the  cus- 
tom. He  wras  raising  the  barn  now  owned  by  Irving 
Colburn.  All  went  well  until  the  ridge-pole  was 
wanted,  when  it  was  discovered  that  it  had  disappeared. 
Mr.  Jones  was  informed  after  much  search  that  it  would 
be  forthcoming  if  the  men  were  supplied  with  their 
usual  quantity  of  grog.  Mr.  Jones  stood  firm,  and  on 
that  day  and  occasion  settled  forever  the  liquor  question 
with  his  men. 


276  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

When  the  temperance  reform  began  in  1840  many 
were  already  total  abstainers.  By  this  time  the  preach- 
ing of  the  clergy  was  wholly  on  the  side  of  temperance. 
Frequent  lectures  and  public  meetings  were  held,  and 
in  time  the  town  became  a  part  of  a  district  organiza- 
tion known  as  the  Norfolk  County  Temperance  Union. 
Later  the  work  took  shape  in  local  temperance  organiza- 
tions. 

A  Band  of  Hope  was  organized  in  1859  by  the  Rev. 
Edward  Barker,  which  held  frequent  meetings  and  en- 
listed the  interest  of  the  young  in  the  temperance 
work.  The  Band  held  public  meetings  and  entertain- 
ments, which  were  largely  attended  and  created  much 
enthusiasm  for  the  cause.  The  membership  was  made 
up  largely  of  children.  Meetings  were  held  in  the  Cen- 
ter schoolhouse,  and  the  work  was  juvenile  in  character. 
The  youths  of  the  town  found  a  popular  organization  in 
the  "  Sons  of  Temperance,"  which  had  for  its  purpose 
"the  shielding  of  one  another  from  the  evils  of  intem- 
perance, offering  assistance  in  case  of  sickness,  and 
elevating  the  character  of  its  members."  This  organi- 
zation furnished  not  only  social  intercourse,  but  at- 
tempted to  study  the  temperance  question.  Much  orig- 
inal work  was  done  in  preparing  papers  and  essays  on 
the  subject.  In  1869  a  lodge  of  "Good  Templars" 
was  organized,  which  included  both  old  and  young. 
Regular  meetings  were  held  in  the  Baptist  chapel,  and 
for  a  time  the  organization  created  much  enthusiasm  ; 
but  after  a  few  years  their  charter  was  surrendered. 

Schoolhouse  meetings  were  begun  about  1870,  in 
which  the  school  children  were  largely  represented. 
The  Dover  Temperance  Union  was  organized  October 


SOCIETIES    AND    ORGANIZATIONS  277 

4,  1872,  through  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  S. 
Norton.  The  object  of  the  association,  as  defined,  "is 
to  promote  the  cause  of  temperance  not  only  by  pledg- 
ing ourselves  to  total  abstinence,  but  by  our  individual 
and  united  efforts,  by  discussion,  lectures,  and  in  all 
suitable  ways,  to  educate  the  people  in  the  principles  of 
temperance,  to  reclaim  the  intemperate  and  prevent  the 
young  from  forming  habits  of  dissipation."  The  follow- 
ing simple  pledge  was  adopted :  "  I  hereby  solemnly 
pledge  myself  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  all  intoxicat- 
ing liquors  as  a  beverage."  Since  its  organization 
three  hundred  and  thirty-eight  persons  have  taken  this 
pledge.  It  is  still  an  active  organization,  and  is  made 
up  largely  of  the  church  attendants.  Meetings  are  held 
monthly  in  the  town  hall,  with  an  appropriate  pro- 
gramme, including  a  public  discussion  of  the  subject  of 
temperance.  All  political  parties,  as  well  as  churches, 
are  represented  in  its  membership. 

The  Dover  Grange,  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  No.  117, 
was  organized  March  13,  1884,  with  thirty-seven  charter 
members.  It  has  always  flourished,  and  has  at  present 
a  numerous  membership.  Residents  of  several  adjoin- 
ing towns  have  become  members  of  this  organization, 
which  holds,  except  in  summer,  semi-monthly  meetings. 
The  work  of  the  grange  here  is  largely  social  and  in- 
tellectual. It  has  developed  much  dramatic  ability 
among  its  .members,  and  the  entertainments  of  the 
grange  are  numerously  attended  by  the  residents  of 
this  and  surrounding  towns.  The  Dover  Grange  has 
from  the  start  interested  itself  in  all  questions  of  town 
improvements.  In  1889  it  observed  Arbor  Day,  being 
the  first  organization  in  town  to  take  up  tree-planting. 


278  HISTORY    OF    DOVER 

It  has  frequent  meetings  with  other  granges  in  Norfolk 
and  Middlesex  Counties,  and  in  1891  united  with  others 
in  organizing  a  Pomona  Grange. 

The  Needham  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Association, 
which  was  organized  some  years  ago  to  promote  the 
interests  of  both  farmers  and  mechanics  by  the  discus- 
sion of  subjects  pertaining  to  their  welfare,  has  always 
had  a  large  membership  in  this  town.  Meetings  are 
usually  held  at  the  residence  of  the  members,  and  both 
men  and  women  have  a  share  in  the  literary  work. 

A  debating  society  was  formed  in  1853  ;  and,  as  the 
North  schoolhouse  was  near  the  center  of  population, 
the  young  men  gained  permission  to  use  this  school- 
house  for  debating  purposes.  The  debating  society  as 
an  institution  did  much  for  the  young  men  of  a  past 
generation  in  cultivating  patriotism  and  awakening  a 
love  of  country. 

The  Dover  Historical  and  Natural  History  Society 
was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1895  for  the  purpose  of 
collecting  and  preserving  "  such  relics  and  antiquities, 
such  facts  and  documents,  as  will  throw  light  upon  our 
local  history,  either  by  gift  or  loan,  and  also  to  promote 
a  knowledge  of  natural  history,  by  the  formation  of  a 
museum,  and  in  any  way  advance  the  aims  of  the 
society  by  such  means  as  are  at  our  command." 

All  members  are  elected  by  ballot  ;  and,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  constitution,  "  the  laws  and  customs  of 
our  forefathers  are  observed  by  taking  the  question 
with  Indian  corn  and  beans,  the  corn  expressing  yeas, 
and  the  beans  nays." 

A  small  appropriation  was  made  by  the  town  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  society  ;  and  a  fine  cabinet 


SOCIETIES    AND    ORGANIZATIONS  279 

has  been  purchased  for  the  preservation  of  relics,  which 
by  courtesy  of  the  trustees  has  been  placed  in  the  town 
library. 

Small  relics  of  interest  and  value  are  being  constantly 
added  to  the  collection.  The  meetings  of  the  society 
are  held  quarterly,  beginning  with  the  first  Saturday 
in  January.  Each  man  pays  the  sum  of  fifty  cents, 
and  each  woman  twenty-five  cents  in  annual  dues. 

The  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  Declaration 
of  American  Independence  was  fittingly  observed  by 
the  town,  which  has  not  forgotten  that  on  the  very  day 
of  the  nation's  birth  Capt.  John  Jones,  a  native  of 
the  Springfield  Parish,  gave  his  life  to  the  republic  at 
Crown  Point,  N.Y.  Many  residents,  as  late  as  1876, 
traced  their  lineage  to  ancestors  who  were  living  here 
in  the  first  years  of  the  nation's  life. 

An  interesting  program  was  carried  out  by  a  com- 
mittee appointed  at  a  public  meeting.  A  flag  was 
raised  in  the  morning  with  appropriate  exercises  on 
the  common.  A  procession  was  formed,  with  a  large 
representation  of  "Horribles."  Public  exercises  were 
held  in  the  First  Parish  Church,  including  an  historical 
address  by  Frank  Smith.  The  interest  in  historical 
matters  awakened  by  the  preparation  of  the  address 
led  to  extended  research  on  the  part  of  the  author, 
which  culminated  in  the  writing  of  this  work.  The 
celebration  closed  with  a  fine  display  of  fireworks  in  the 
evening. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

MANUFACTURING   AND   INDUSTRIES. 

MILLS  —  WHIP  FACTORY  —  STRAW  BUSINESS  —  BRUSH  FAC- 
TORY —  SHOE  BUSINESS  —  PLOUGHS  —  HOOPS  —  PAPER  — 
CIGARS  —  CHARCOAL — BLACKSMITHS  —  WHEELWRIGHT- 
MILK  BUSINESS  —  STORES  —  INVENTIONS  —  AUTHORSHIP 
—  AGRICULTURE. 

Haply  from  them  the  toiler,  bent 
Above  his  forge  or  plough,  may  gain 
A  manlier  spirit  of  content, 
And  feel  that  life  is  wisest  spent 
When  the  strong  working  hand  makes  strong  the  working  brain. 

—  WHITTIER. 

The  industries  of  the  town  carry  us  back  to  the  very 
beginning  of  the  nation,  when  the  inhabitants  added  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  soil  the  cutting  of  timber.  Ship- 
building was  the  first  industry  established  in  colonial 
days,  and  was  the  beginning  in  the  industrial  evolution 
of  the  United  States.  With  the  few  attempts  at  other 
industries  enumerated  in  this  chapter,  the  inhabitants 
have  been  content  to  utilize  the  natural  resources  of 
the  soil.  The  farmers  were  all  engaged  in  textile  in- 
dustries to  the  extent  of  spinning  and  weaving  their 
own  woollen  and  linen  clothes. 

When  in  1638  Abraham  Shawe  commenced  to  build 
a  grist-mill  on  Charles  River,  it  is  believed  that  the  loca- 
tion of  this  mill  was  within  the  present  limits  of  Dover. 
Mr.  Shawe  died  within  a  short  time,  and  the  enterprise 
was  not  carried  out.  The  first  mill  in  Dover  was  lo- 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  281 

cated  on  Charles  River,  which  at  first  took  the  name 
of  "  Dover  Mills,"  but  later  was  called  Charles  River 
Village.  Saw-  and  grist-mills  were  located  here  previous 
to  the  year  1800.  A  slitting-mill  was  built  in  1795  on 
the  Dover  side  of  Charles  River  ;  and  the  water-privilege 
later  developed  led  to  the  establishment  of  a  flourishing 
nail  factory  and  iron-rolling  business,  which  was  owned 
by  Josiah  Newell.  In  1837  the  nail  factory  employed 
fourteen  hands,  and  manufactured  three  hundred  tons 
of  nails  annually,  valued  at  thirty-six  thousand  dollars. 
The  rolling-mill  turned  out  five  hundred  tons  of  hoops, 
rods,  etc.,  valued  at  fifty-five  thousand  dollars.  The 
Dover  Union  Iron  Company,  consisting  of  the  following 
members,  was  organized  in  1815  :  Nathaniel  Chickering, 
Frederick  Barden,  John  Williams,  George  Fisher,  Silas 
Bacon,  Jr.,  and  Horace  Bacon,  of  Dover ;  Joseph  Clark,  Jr., 
Daniel  Adams,  Daniel  Chickering,  of  Medfield ;  James 
Carton,  John  H.  Rice,  Samuel  Fisher,  Jr.,  Timothy 
Allen,  of  Boston  ;  Benjamin  Knight,  of  Newton. 

The  company  built  the  "  New  Mill  "  at  the  falls  near 
Powisset  for  the  rolling  and  slitting  of  Norway  iron. 
The  mill  was  constructed  on  the  plan  of  having  one 
over-shot  bucket-wheel,  thirty-six  feet  in  diameter, 
which  increased  the  speed  of  the  rollers  fourfold,  and 
consumed  less  water  than  the  under-shot  wheels  previ- 
ously used.  The  supply  of  water,  however,  proved 
inadequate ;  and  after  a  few  years  the  company  became 
insolvent,  and  the  mill  went  to  ruin. 

The  establishment  of  the  rolling  and  slitting  iron 
business,  previous  to  1800,  occupies  an  early  place  in 
the  development  of  the  industry  in  this  country.  Roll- 
ing and  slitting  mills  were  not  begun  until  the  last  part 


282  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

of  the  eighteenth  century.  Parliament  passed  laws  for 
aiding  the  establishment  of  such  enterprises  only  a  short 
time  previous  to  the  Revolution. 

A  half  century  ago  Josiah  Battelle  was  engaged  in 
the  manufacture  of  whips.  He  employed  several  hands, 
and  made  an  article  of  high  grade,  which  found  a  ready 
sale  in  Boston  and  Providence. 

With  the  introduction  of  the  straw  business  in  this 
country,  Josiah  Newell,  Jr.,  put  out  large  quantities  of 
palm-leaf  into  the  homes  of  the  people,  which  was 
braided  by  the  women  and  girls  into  hats.  The 
making  of  straw-braid  was  for  many  years  quite  an 
industry,  the  whole  process  being  carried  on  in  the 
household.  The  best  quality  of  rye-straw  was  cut  into 
pieces  about  a  foot  long,  which,  being  put  up  in  small 
bundles,  was  bleached  by  means  of  burning  brimstone 
in  an  air-tight  box.  The  straw  was  then  split  with  a 
knife  ;  and,  after  having  been  moistened,  so  that  it  \vould 
not  break,  it  was  cut  into  strands  by  means  of  a  little 
hand  instrument. 

The  fineness  or  coarseness  of  the  braid  depended 
upon  the  width  of  the  strand.  This  straw-braid  found 
a  ready  sale  at  dry-goods  stores,  and  was  even  taken  in 
exchange  for  other  articles.  Later  large  quantities  of 
imported  straw-braid  was  taken  into  families  from  the 
straw  works  at  Medfield  and  other  places,  and  sewed 
into  hats  and  bonnets.  This  work  was  largely  furnished 
in  the  winter  and  spring. 

The  weaving  of  palm-leaf  was  also  taken  up  for  a 
time.  This  kind  of  work  continued  until  after  the 
close  of  the  war  in  1865.  In  later  years  the  knitting 
of  hosiery  has  been  taken  up  in  some  families. 


• 


WATER-FALL    AT    OLD    MILL. 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  283 

Thomas  Smith,  who  settled  in  Dover  in  1825,  built  a 
shop  on  County  Street  and  commenced  the  manufacture 
of  brushes,  which  he  continued  for  many  years.  In  the 
retail  trade  he  supplied  the  surrounding  country,  and  at 
wholesale  found  a  ready  sale  for  his  brushes  in  the  two 
leading  markets  of  the  clay,  Boston  and  Providence. 
Soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  boot  and  shoe  in- 
dustry in  this  vicinity,  James  H.  Wight  built  a  shop 
which  was  used  for  a  time  in  the  manufacture  of  shoes. 
The  business,  however,  was  not  adapted  to  the  locality 
and  was  soon  given  up.  For  many  years  the  already 
prepared  stock  was  taken  home  by  residents  and  manu- 
factured into  boots  and  shoes.  This  work  furnished 
profitable  employment  to  not  a  small  number  of  hands. 

Calvin  Bigelow,  who  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  began 
about  1830  the  manufacture  of  wooden  ploughs.  He 
soon  gave  up  the  wooden  plough,  and  began  to  make  a 
superior  hand-made  wrought  iron  plough.  He  con- 
tinued this  business  for  years,  making  from  two  hun- 
dred to  three  hundred  ploughs  per  annum,  until  the 
introduction  of  cast  iron  ploughs,  which  greatly  reduced 
the  cost  of  manufacture  and  cut  off  the  demand  for 
hand-made  ploughs.  He  then  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  axes. 

The  manufacture  of  oak  and  walnut  hoops  was  a 
leading  and  profitable  industry  in  which  many  farmers 
engaged  in  the  winter  season.  Josiah  Whiting  was  the 
largest  manufacturer.  The  hoops  were  manufactured 
from  small  trees,  and  being  put  up  in  bundles  were 
shipped  to  Cuba  and  other  sugar  and  molasses  produc- 
ing islands.  This  industry  died  out  in  the  years  imme- 
diately following  the  close  of  the  Civil  War. 


284  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

In  1868  Henry  Goulding  purchased  land  and  the 
right  of  flowage  ;  and,  damming  the  stream  which  enters 
Charles  River  near  Farm  Bridge,  he  built  a  shingle- 
mill,  which  for  a  number  of  years  did  a  good  winter 
business.  But  the  timber  being  poorly  adapted  to  the 
manufacture  of  shingles,  the  business  gradually  fell  off, 
and  some  years  later  the  mill  was  removed.  In  1877 
Mr.  Goulding  put  in  a  small  grist-mill. 

The  useful  art  of  tanning  was  fostered  by  the  laws  of 
the  Province,  and  a  tannery  was  early  set  up  on  Trout 
Brook.  A  nail  factory  near  the  house  of  Theodore 
Dunn  made  wrought  iron  nails  by  hand. 

After  the  decline  of  the  iron  industry  at  Charles 
River  Village,  Messrs.  Hill  &  Sons  built  mills  and 
began  the  manufacture  of  sheathing-paper.  The  mills 
were  run  night  and  day  and  employed  quite  a  number 
of  hands.  A  few  years  since,  the  mills  were  burned 
and  have  not  been  replaced. 

Linus  Bliss  carried  on  for  many  years  the  manufact- 
ure of  cigars,  doing  a  large  business.  He  kept  a  team 
on  the  road  which  supplied  a  large  retail  trade ;  he  also 
wholesaled  in  the  Boston  market.  The  business  practi- 
cally ceased  with  his  death,  although  his  son  George 
was  engaged  in  the  business  for  some  time. 

The  making  of  charcoal  in  the  early  time  was  a  lead- 
ing industry.  The  corded  wood  cut  in  winter  was 
burned  into  charcoal  in  the  early  fall  ;  and  witchers 
were  built  in  the  clearing  which  were  occupied  while 
the  charcoal  was  making.  Those  in  attendance  did  not 
want  for  company,  as  it  was  the  delight  of  the  boys 
of  the  neighborhood  to  spend  a  night  or  two  in  the 
witcher,  the  pleasure  being  akin  to  that  of  camping-out, 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  285 

which  has  since  become  so  popular.  The  young  men 
were  so  trained  to  this  industry  that,  in  after  years,  in 
selecting  farms  for  themselves,  in  this  or  other  places, 
they  often  looked  more  to  the  amount  of  wood  or  tim- 
ber than  to  the  location  of  the  farm.  The  charcoal 
was  sold  in  Boston,  and  required  much  teaming.  Jesse 
Newell,  John  A.  Newell,  and  Josiah  Whiting  were  for 
many  years  engaged  in  this  business  ;  but  the  trade  is 
now  left  entirely  to  Mr.  Whiting. 

John  Battle  gave  a  small  piece  of  land  early  in  1700, 
at  the  junction  of  Main  Street  and  Springdale  Avenue, 
for  a  blacksmith's  shop,  which  was  occupied  for  nearly 
a  century  and  a  half.  Another  shop  was  located  at  the 
center  of  the  precinct  near  Trout  Brook,  and  doubtless 
united  with  the  manufacture  of  wrought  iron  nails  the 
shoeing  of  horses,  oxen,  and  a  general  blacksmith 
business. 

Obed  Hartshorn,  who  settled  in  the  extreme  westerly 
part  of  the  town  in  1790,  opened  a  blacksmith's  shop 
which  was  maintained  for  many  years,  and  descended  to 
his  son  Obed. 

It  is  related,  that  during  the  War  of  1812,  a  drove  of 
cows  that  were  being  driven  through  the  State  in  winter 
could  go  no  further  on  account  of  the  ice.  Mr.  Harts- 
horn tried  the  experiment  of  shoeing  the  cows,  putting 
one  sharpened  shoe  on  each  hoof,  and  the  experiment 
worked  so  well  that  the  happy  drover  was  enabled  to 
proceed  on  his  way. 

Capt.  Silas  Bacon  had  .a  blacksmith  shop  on  Main 
Street,  previous  to  the  opening  of  the  business  by  Calvin 
Bigelow.  About  1830,  Mr.  Bigelow  began,  on  the  spot 
since  converted  into  Springdale  Park,  the  blacksmith 


286  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

business,  and  for  many  years  carried  on  the  "village 
smithy"  in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of  ploughs 
and  axes.  After  Mr.  Bigelow  closed  his  shop  and 
moved  away,  Hiram  Jones  and  William  Cleveland  built 
the  shop  now  owned  by  William  King,  which  had  for  a 
time  many  different  occupants.  The  shop  was  finally 
taken  by  a  Mr.  Rodman.  Other  shops  in  later  years 
were  built  in  this  locality  by  Henry  Orcutt  and  William 
King,  which  were  maintained  for  some  years. 

Calvin  Richards,  Sr.,  had  a  shop  on  Strawberry  Hill 
where  he  did  at  least  his  own  work. 

In  the  southerly  part  of  the  town,  Dea.  Daniel  Chick- 
ering  had  a  shop  and  looked  after  the  blacksmithing. 

After  moving  to  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  Calvin 
Bigelow  built  another  shop  which  he  used  for  some 
time. 

A  blacksmith  business  was  conducted  at  Charles 
River  Village  on  the  Dover  side  of  the  river.  The  first 
shop  was  run  by  Seth  Blake,  and  was  located  between 
the  mill  and  the  house  of  Charles  Marden.  Mr.  Blake 
was  succeeded  by  John  Adams.  The  last  shop  was 
built  about  1870,  and  the  business  was  continued  for 
twenty  years. 

In  1890,  after  the  lapse  of  many  years,  the  business 
was  again  set  up  at  the  center  of  the  town  by  John 
Breagy,  who  built  a  shop  and  house  on  Walpole  Street. 

The  character  of  the  business  has  greatly  changed, 
and  is  now  almost  wholly  devoted  to  horse-shoeing.  In 
the  early  time  the  business  consisted  largely  of  ox- 
shoeing  and  united  the  work  of  the  carriage-smith. 

Kbenezer  Smith,  about  1800,  began  the  wheelwright 
business.  He  built  a  shop  on  the  little  stream  which 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES        ,    287 

crosses  Farm  Street,  near  the  junction  of  Springdale 
Avenue.  After  some  years  he  closed  the  business  to 
take  up  a  larger  one  in  Connecticut.  Rufus  Battelle, 
who  carried  on  the  business  for  many  years,  was  his 
successor.  Mr.  Battelle  was  a  fine  workman,  and 
brought  his  son  George  up  in  the  same  trade. 

At  the  center  of  the  town  John  Reed  carried  on  a 
butcher's  business  previous  to  1783.  It  was  discontin- 
ued after  that  date,  as  his  farm  was  purchased  by  the 
town  of  Dedham. 

In  the  westerly  part  of  the  town  Jonathan  Battelle 
did  a  good  business,  and  in  the  wholesale  trade  engaged 
in  the  packing  of  beef  and  pork,  which  at  one  time 
was  quite  an  industry,  and  an  inspector  of  beef  and 
pork  was  appointed  by  the  town.  Mr.  Battelle  had  a 
restaurant  in  Roxbury  in  connection  with  his  business. 
He  was  succeeded  in  the  slaughtering  business  by 
Oliver  Clifford,  who  after  a  few  years  moved  to 
Medway. 

Joseph  A.  Smith  put  carts  on  the  road,  and  for  some 
years  had  a  large  trade  in  this  and  surrounding  towns. 
He  carried  on  the  business  in  connection  with  his 
father's  farm  on  Smith  Street. 

About  1875  Amos  W.  Shumway,  Jr.,  engaged  in  the 
business  at  the  old  homestead,  and  developed  a  large 
trade  in  Dover  and  Medfield.  After  a  few  years  the 
route  was  sold  to  Edward  Newell,  and  the  business 
went  to  Medfield.  At  present  the  trade  is  wholly  sup- 
plied by  butchers'  carts  from  out  of  town. 

Hiram  Jones,  in  taking  up  his  residence  here,  en- 
gaged in  carpentry,  and  contracted  not  only  in  town 
but  also  in  the  surrounding  country.  He  was  the  builder 


288  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

of  one  of  the  churches  of  the  Natick  Congregational 
Society.  James  H.  Wight  was  a  contractor,  and  had 
at  one  time  a  lumber-yard  on  the  common.  He  moved 
from  Dover,  but  continued  the  business  in  other  places. 

The  Howe  Brothers,  Alonzo,  Albion,  and  William  A., 
were  all  carpenters.  Albion  Howe  carried  on  the  busi- 
ness in  Dover,  but  finally  moved  to  Wellesley. 

Barnabas  Paine  has  been  for  many  years  the  leading 
builder.  He  has  devoted  his  entire  time  to  the  busi- 
ness, and  in  the  last  twenty  years  has  constructed  many 
buildings  in  this  and  surrounding  towns. 

Charles  H.  Chickering  was  engaged  in  the  business 
at  the  time  of  his  death  (1891),  and  gave  his  entire 
time  to  contracts  at  Newton  Highlands. 

Calvin  and  Warren  Sawin  were  carpenters,  and  took 
contracts  for  buildings  as  well  as  general  work  in  Dover 
and  South  Natick.  Warren  Richardson  is  a  carpenter 
of  large  experience. 

The  business  is  also  carried  on  by  Eben  Higgins  in 
connection  with  his  farm.  Daniel  Mann  was  one  of  the 
first  to  engage  in  carpentry  in  Dover.  He  did  a  good 
business,  having  a  large  number  of  men  in  his  employ. 
Being  located  in  the  easterly  part  of  the  town,  Mr. 
Mann  did  much  work  in  Needham  and  Dedham. 

The  raising  of  silkworms  for  their  cocoons  was  at  one 
time  undertaken,  but  failed  to  become  an  industry. 
White  mulberry  trees  were  planted,  on  the  leaves  of 
which  the  silkworms  feed. 

In  the  early  sixties  William  Bigelow  built  a  shop  at 
Bliss's  comer,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  boots. 
He  was  succeeded  in  the  business  by  the  firm  of  Derby 
£  Nichols. 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  289 

The  shoe  business  was  carried  on  in  the  early  time  at 
the  center  of  the  town.  A  shop  was  located  on  the 
common  in  front  of  the  cemetery.  Later,  the  building 
was  converted  into  a  dwelling-house.  Rufus  Smith, 
and  afterwards  Z.  &  H.  Moore,  made  shoes  at  the  old 
tavern  stand. 

For  some  years  the  boot  and  shoe  industry  was  car- 
ried on  by  numerous  residents  in  their  homes,  or  in 
small  shops,  where  the  prepared  stock  taken  from  the 
manufacturer  was  put  together. 

Carroll  D.  Wright  thus  speaks  of  this  industry :  — 

Perhaps  the  most  striking  illustration  of  the  influence  of  inven- 
tions is  to  be  found  in  the  manufacture  of  boots  and  shoes.  This 
industry  was  formerly  carried  on  in  little  shops,  in  which  a  few 
men,  rarely  more  than  four,  worked  upon  the  bench,  upon  stock  re- 
ceived from  the  manufacturer  cut  out  and  ready  to  be  put  together. 
These  little  shops  are  closed ;  the  great  shoe  factory  has  taken 
their  place,  and  in  it  is  to  be  seen  the  perfect  adaptation  of  the 
manufacture  of  goods  by  successive,  harmonious  processes. 

Calvin  Richards  built  a  small  factory  on  Noanet's 
Brook,  where  he  manufactured  nail-kegs,  which  he  sold 
at  Dover  Mills  and  Newton  Upper  Falls.  Later,  Lewis 
Smith  and  William  M.  Richards  used  this  building  for 
the  manufacture  of  shoe-filling.  The  latter  occupation 
was  carried  on  very  profitably  by  William  A.  Howe,  on 
Main  Street. 

Capt.  Samuel  Fisher  had  a  saw-mill  which  was  located 
on  the  old  Powisset  road,  and  for  many  years  did  a  good 
business  in  sawing  native  timber.  This  mill  was  in 
operation  as  early  as  1780. 

In  1868  Arthur  F.  Dodge  built  a  factory  on  Straw- 
berry Hill,  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  parlor 
organs,  but  after  a  time  the  business  was  discontinued. 


290  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Otto  Gunther  began  here  some  twenty  years  ago  the 
manufacture  of  confectionery,  but  soon  returned  to  Bos- 
ton, as  the  locality  was  not  adapted  to  the  business. 

Through  the  attention  now  given  to  the  raising  of 
poultry  and  the  extensive  use  of  incubators  and  brooders, 
Ernest  F.  Hodgson  has  developed  quite  an  industry  in 
the  manufacture  of  the  "  Peep  o'  Day  Brooder "  and 
"  Peep  o'  Day  Incubator,"  which  are  ordered  from  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

The  custom  of  sending  to  market  various  products  of 
the  farm, —  such  as  vegetables,  small  fruits,  butter,  eggs, 
poultry,  and  veal, —  furnished  an  opportunity  which  was 
not  lost  in  establishing  a  commission  business.  Reuben 
Draper  took  up  the  business  on  Pegan  Hill,  and  was 
succeeded  in  that  locality  by  Sumner  Allen  ;  Jonathan 
Battelle  engaged  early  in  the  business  and  was  followed 
in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town  by  Albert  L.  Smith. 
George  D.  Everett  did  a  large  business  for  many  years, 
which  was  not  confined  to  this  town,  but  embraced  parts 
of  Medfield,  Natick,  and  Sherborn. 

Frederick  H.  Wight  now  has  a  market  business  of 
nearly  forty  years'  standing,  and  has  a  fine  class  of  cus- 
tomers in  the  Newtons.  In  later  years  the  market 
business  has  been  taken  up  by  George  McKenzie 
and  Lewis  B.  Paine. 

Stone-masonry  has  been  carried  on  for  a  quarter  of  a 
century  by  the  Welch  family.  George  E.  Welch  is  now 
engaged  in  the  occupation,  and  has  done  some  fine  work 
in  this  and  surrounding  towns. 

The  Dover  Ice  Company  (Benjamin  N.  Sawin  and 
Curtis  Broad)  was  formed  in  1878  to  supply  Dover, 
South  Xatick,  and  Wellesley  with  river  ice.  Some 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  291 

years  later  an  ice-house  was  built  at  South  Natick,  and 
the  trade  is  now  transacted  from  that  village. 

Lewis  Smith  was  perhaps  the  first  to  engage  in  the 
milk  business  here.  About  1840  he  opened  a  milk- 
route  in  Roxbury,  where  he  delivered  milk  to  the  morn- 
ing trade, —  leaving  home  for  many  years  in  the  small 
hours  of  the  morning.  Finally,  the  business  went  to 
West  Dedham,  where  numerous  persons  were  engaged 
in  the  trade. 

In  the  development  of  the  milk  business  the  Post 
Brothers,  of  Powisset  Farm,  have  built  up  a  large  whole- 
sale trade.  The  milk,  gathered  from  the  farmers  in 
the  early  morning,  is  delivered  the  same  day  in  Roxbury, 
and  is  retailed  the  following  morning. 

Another  large  wholesale  milk  business  was  built  up 
by  Joseph  Smith,  who  delivered  some  three  hundred 
and  fifty  gallons  of  milk  daily  to  retailers  at  Jamaica 
Plain.  On  the  death  of  Mr.  Smith,  in  1894,  the  route 
was  purchased  by  George  E.  Post. 

Michael  Comiskey,  in  supplying  Boston  dealers,  has 
established  within  a  few  years  a  large  and  flourishing 
wholesale  milk  business. 

A  smaller  business  was  maintained  for  many  years 
by  Asa  Talbot,  who  delivered  his  milk  at  Boston 
Highlands. 

In  the  retail  trade  Dana  C.  Hanchett  has  built  up  a 
fine  business  in  Wellesley,  and  the  McGill  Brothers  at 
South  Natick.  Mr.  Hanchett  delivers  not  only-  to  the 
college,  but  also  to  a  large  number  of  house  customers. 

Ebenezer  Newell,  proprietor  of  the  village  tavern, 
was  probably  the  first  to  open  a  store  on  the  territory 
now  comprised  in  this  town,  where  he  supplied  the 


292  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

groceries,  called  West  India  goods,  and  the  few  dry- 
goods  then  in  demand.  The  business  was  continued 
in  the  new  tavern  under  John  Williams,  and  was 
probably  much  extended,  as  the  building  was  better 
adapted  to  the  business. 

A  flourishing  store  was  kept  at  Charles  River  Village 
by  Josiah  Newell,  which  at  one  time  was  conducted  by 
his  son,  Josiah  Newell,  Jr.  This  store  drew  a  large 
patronage  from  Needham.  Mr.  Newell  moved  from 
town,  and  the  business  was  purchased  by  Jonathan 
Whiting.  In  later  years  it  was  carried  on  by  A.  R. 
Tuck  and  Ernest  Wasserman. 

Mason  Putnam,  who  lived  in  the  last  house  in  Dover 
on  Dedham  Street,  built  and  opened  in  1821  a  grocery 
store,  which  he  conducted  for  several  years. 

In  the  westerly  part  of  the  town,  Noah  Fiske,  who 
had  worked  in  grocery  stores  in  Boston  and  in  other 
places,  returned  to  Dover,  and  more  than  a  half  century 
ago  engaged  in  the  dry  and  West  India  goods  business. 

Jonathan  Battelle,  who  lived  on  Farm  Street,  also 
ran  a  store  in  connection  with  his  farm  and  a  beef  and 
pork-packing  business. 

These  stores  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town  drew 
a  limited  trade  from  Sherborn  and  Medfield.  When 
the  business  at  the  center  of  the  town  declined,  stores 
were  opened  at  what  was  later  called  Bliss's  Corner,  by 
A.  L.  Derby,  also  by  Captain  Newell.  Mr.  Derby  was 
succeeded  by  Micajah  S.  Plummer,  who  in  turn  sold  the 
business  to  Linus  Bliss.  Mr.  Bliss  erected  a  new  build- 
ing, and  maintained  a  large  and  first-class  country  store. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Bliss  the  business  was  continued 
by  the  Bacon  Brothers,  who  were  finally  burned  out, 
and  the  business  came  to  an  end. 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  293 

A  grain  and  grocery  business  was  conducted  for 
many  years  by  George  D.  Everett,  who  had  a  large 
trade  not  only  in  Dover,  but  also  in  Medfield. 

Soon  after  the  Bacon  Brothers  discontinued  their 
business,  Lewis  B.  Paine  built  a  store  at  the  Center, 
on  Springdale  Avenue.  After  a  short  time  T.  Cooley 
Norton  succeeded  to  the  business.  Mr.  Norton  died 
after  a  few  years,  and  the  business  was  purchased  by 
J.  W.  Higgins,  who  is  still  the  proprietor  of  the  "  Cen- 
tral Store."  Mr.  Higgins  has  developed  and  extended 
the  business,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  the  only  store  in 
town. 

Mrs.  William  Cleveland  kept  for  some  years  a  variety 
store  at  her  residence,  the  Abbott  place,  on  Main 
Street.  Mrs.  Cleveland  was  given  to  trade,  and  took 
all  kinds  of  produce  in  exchange  for  her  goods. 

Isaac  Henry  Howe,  in  1866,  reopened  the  store  in 
the  old  tavern  building  which  was  run  for  so  many  years 
by  his  grandfather,  John  Williams.  Later  Mr.  Howe 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Fitchburg,  Mass., 
where  he  died  in  the  twenty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

Stillman  J.  Spear  established  a  printing  business  in 
the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  He  furnished  many 
novelties  in  card  printing,  and  for  a  time  did  a  large 
business  through  the  mail.  Later  he  was  engaged  to 
do  the  printing  for  the  straw-works  of  D.  D.  Curtis  & 
Co.,  of  Medfield,  and  soon  after  moved  his  business  to 
that  town. 

Dover  has  never  been  prolific  in  inventions,  yet  sev- 
eral have  been  made  which  have  been  of  service  to 
humanity  and  of  value  in  farm  life.  In  the  days  of  the 
iron  industry,  Daniel  Chickering,  one  of  the  proprietors 


294  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

of  the  "  Dover  Union  Iron  Company,"  invented  a 
machine  for  cutting  and  heading  nails  at  the  same  time. 
Mr.  Chickering  failed  to  patent  his  machine,  and  others 
soon  entered  into  his  labors.  He  was  the  original  in- 
ventor of  mud  shoes,  worn  by  horses  in  boggy  meadows, 
a  pair  of  which  appears  in  the  illustration  of  "  Farm  Im- 
plements." 

Charles  Harden  was  the  original  inventor  of  weather 
strips  for  the  bottom  of  doors. 

Ernest  F.  Hodgson  is  the  inventor  of  the  "  Peep  o' 
Day  Incubator  "  and  "  Peep  o'  Day  Brooder." 

The  incubator  is  a  hot-air  machine.  The  automatic 
heat  regulator  controls  the  temperature,  and  the  ventila- 
tion and  moisture  are  controlled  by  a  simple  valve,  thus 
making  it  possible  to  operate  it  under  all  conditions  and 
changes  of  atmosphere.  Absolute  control  of  the  venti- 
lation and  moisture  is  obtained,  and  all  cold  draughts  and 
over-supply  of  moisture  are  avoided. 

The  "  Peep  o'  Day  Brooder  "  is  three  feet  square,  and 
contains  a  hover  and  warm-mother.  It  is  heated  by  a 
brooder  stove,  with  a  water  pan  around  the  base  of  the 
burner,  which  prevents  the  oil  from  becoming  heated 
and  gives  the  lamp  a  steady  flame.  The  brooder  has  a 
shelter-board,  also  a  folding  open  shed  attachment. 

Walter  M.  Wotton  is  the  inventor  of  an  improved 
patent  nut-lock,  especially  adapted  for  use  in  connection 
with  nuts  applied  to  bolts  which  pass  through  a  railway 
rail  and  fish-plate.  This  improved  device  consists  of 
a  spiral  spring  made  of  wire,  preferably  square  in  cross- 
sections,  and  consisting  essentially  of  a  little  more  than' 
three  coils,  the  central  coil  being  smaller  in  diameter 
than  the  outer  coils,  so  that  the  spring  is  practically  a 
double  helical  spring. 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES 


295 


Samuel  M.  Colcord  invented  and  patented  a  silo 
governor,  which  was  awarded  a  medal  and  diploma  at 
the  World's  Columbian  Exposition  at  Chicago  in  1893. 
When,  in  1877,  Mr.  Colcord  turned  his  attention  to 
agriculture,  he  was  attracted  by  a  French  work,  "The 
Ensilage  of  Maize."  The  system  of  preserving  green- 
cut  corn  had  been  tried,  but  not  with  complete  success, 
on  account  of  the  acidity  found 
in  the  ensilage.  Mr.  Colcord, 
with  his  silo  governor,  succeeded 
in  keeping  the  heat  in  his  silo 
below  eighty  degrees  Fahren- 
heit, which  it  is  believed  had 
never  before  been  done.  In 
1883  he  had  his  silo  governor 
patented.  It  is  an  apparatus  for  removing  the  air  from 
freshly-cut  corn,  thus  preventing  fermentation  almost 
entirely.  The  New  Jersey  Experiment  Station  indorsed 
the  governor,  and  published  reports  on  the  successful 
working  of  the  apparatus.  The  cut  represents  a  silo 
with  two  governors  in  place. 

A  shows  a  frame  of  perforated  iron  pipe  leading  by 
the  upright  outlet,  g  and  m,  to  the  outer  air.  The  air 
in  the  corn  is  expelled  through  these  by  pressure  applied 
to  the  top  of  the  mass  :  k  represents  a  plug  by  which 
the  silo  may  be  drained  or  washed. 

Charles  H.  Higgins,  D.V.M.,  while  a  student  at 
McGill  University,  investigated  in  1895  an  outbreak 
of  true  chicken  cholera  which  occurred  near  Montreal, 
a  brief  account  of  which  "is  as  follows  :  — 

In  Europe  and  America  the  barnyards  are  occasion- 
ally invaded  by  epizootics  affecting  pigeons,  turkeys, 


296  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

chickens,  ducks,  and  geese,  which  cause  almost  as  much 
destruction  among  them  as  the  occasional  epidemics  of 
cholera,  small-pox,  and  "  black  plague "  among  the 
human  family. 

Since  Perroncito,  in  1878,  first  observed  the  bacilli 
responsible  for  one  of  these  diseases,  they  have  served 
as  subjects  for  many  scientific  papers  both  in  Europe 
and  America.  Pasteur  was  the  first  to  thoroughly  in- 
vestigate what  is  now  termed  "chicken  cholera."  It 
was  through  the  study  of  this  disease  that  this  eminent 
French  scientist  was  enabled  to  place  before  the  public 
the  "attenuated  virus"  for  this  disease,  as  well  as  for 
many  others,  among  which  are  those  fatal  to  human 
life. 

In  December,  1895,  there  occurred  near  Montreal  an 
outbreak  of  this  disease,  which,  when  compared  with 
germs  direct  from  the  European  outbreaks  of  the  dis- 
ease, proved  to  be  identical.  Compared  with  the  so- 
called  "fowl  cholera"  of  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the 
United  States,  it  was  found  to  vary  in  a  number  of 
essential  characteristics,  and  now  stands  as  the  first 
outbreak  of  genuine  "  European  chicken  cholera  "  which 
has  been  investigated  on  this  continent. 

Briefly,  the  bacillus  is  described  as  follows  :  — 

Morphology. —  Bacilli  with  rounded  ends,  sometimes 
so  short  as  to  resemble  micrococci.  Stains  with  usual 
aniline  dyes,  but  not  by  Gram's  method.  The  ends  are 
deeply  stained,  while  the  central  portion  retains  none  of 
the  coloring  matter. 

Biological  Characters. —  A^erobic  and  facultative 
anaerobic,  non-liquefying,  non-motile  bacillus.  Spore 
formation  not  observed.  Grows  in  usual  culture  media 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES  297 

at  room  temperature.  Upon  gelatine  plates  appears 
about  the  fourth  day,  being  pale  white,  finely  granular 
colonies  with  smooth  edges.  In  gelatine  stick  cultures 
the  growth  is  most  abundant  along  the  line  of  inocula- 
tion, there  being  little  or  none  on  the  surface.  Upon 
the  surface  of  agar,  pale  white,  almost  colorless  colonies 
are  seen,  two-tenths  to  five-tenths  millimeters  in  diam- 
eter. Old  cultures  emit  a  peculiar  penetrating  odor. 
Upon  blood  serum  a  thin  white  layer  is  developed  along 
the  line  of  inoculation.  Upon  potato  a  thin  yellowish 
streak  is  formed. 

Pathogenesis. —  Very  pathogenic  for  rabbits,  pigeons, 
chickens,  and  turkeys.  Non-pathogenic  for  guinea-pigs, 
cats,  and  dogs.  Immunity  has  been  produced  by  the 
use  of  an  attenuated  germ. 

While  pursuing  this  investigation,  researches  were 
also  made  upon  mixtures  of  pure  chemicals  with  a  view 
to  substitution  for  the  ordinary  broth  culture  medium. 
While  not  meeting  with  complete  success  in  this  line, 
it  was  ascertained  that  some  forms  of  bacterial  life  grow 
as  vigorously  and  others  much  more  vigorously  than  on 
the  ordinary  broth  medium. 

In  authorship,  residents  of  Dover  have  written  the 
following  works:  "  Colcord's  Green  Forage  System," 
Samuel  M.  Colcord ;  "  Thurid,  and  Other  Poems," 
George  E.  Otis;  "A  Willing  Transgressor,"  "A  Bud 
of  Promise,"  "  Rags  and  Velvet  Gowns,"  "  Dear  Daugh- 
ter Dorothy,"  "Dorothy  and  Anton,"  "Betty, —  a 
Butterfly,"  "Little  Sister  of  Winifred,"  "Robin's  Re- 
cruit," "Penelope  Prig,"  "The  Black  Dog,"  A.  G. 
Plympton  ;  "  A  Guide  Book  to  Norumbega  and  Vine- 
land,"  Elizabeth  G.  Shepard ;  "  God  and  Home  and 
Native  Land,"  Rev.  P.  C.  Headley. 


298  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

After  denuding  the  forests,  ordinary  farming  was 
taken  up  and  carried  on  with  a  large  acreage  of  cereals 
and  vegetables.  Oxen  were  kept  in  large  numbers,  as 
horses  were  not  then  used  here  for  farm  work.  Sheep 
were  raised  in  abundance,  but  have  now  entirely  dis- 
appeared. Geese  and  turkeys  were  common,  and  the 
former  were  often  yoked  together  to  keep  them  within 
bounds.  The  number  of  hens,  and  the  product  of 
the  poultry-yard,  have  greatly  increased  in  latter  years. 
While  a  growing  number  are  engaged  in  market  gar- 
dening, the  chief  element  in  farming  to-day  is  the 
production  of  milk,  which  goes  to  the  Boston  market. 

Dover  farmers  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  Norfolk 
Agricultural  Society,  and  eighty-seven  residents  became 
members  of  the  society  during  the  years  of  its  active 
existence. 

The  following  statistical  table  shows  the  changes 
that  have  occurred  in  farming  and  in  the  industries  of 
the  town  during  the  last  half  century  :  — 


MANUFACTURING    AND    INDUSTRIES 


299 


STATISTICS. 


1845- 

1855- 

I865. 

1875. 

I885. 

1895. 

Number  iron  mills     ...                3 
Value  of  product    ....        $165,500 
Number  employed     ...              40 

Value  of  brushes   ....         $3,000 

Boots  and  shoes  (pairs)  .               7,410 
Value  $5,72$ 

$2,OOO 

7,788 

$600 

Number  employed     ...              ig 

Value  of  whips  $1,000 
Number  employed     ...                3 

Cords  of  firewood  ....            864 
Value        ...                         $2  160 

'9 

$450 
3 

i,379 

<-d   70S 

',397 

$;  580 

791 

1,063 

«4  189 

1,148 

Number  of  horses      ...              99 

*     94 
$7   S25 

126 

95 

150 

219 

Bushels  of  corn      .     .     .     .           2,402 
Value             .     .               .               *i,8o2 

4,680 

3,030 

1,697 

$i  628 

2,982 

2,055 

Bushels  of  rye  278 
Value                 .     .     .                     $222 

320 
$416 

133 

280 
$346 

357 

8 

$5 

Bushels  of  barley  ....              272 
Value  $163 

Bushels  of  oats       ....              766 
Value  $306 

198 
$180.25 

480 
$331   70 

632 
$790 

'^ 
$127 

'47 
5-73 

73 
$50 

98 
$83 

Bushels  of  beans   .... 
Value  

I2O 
$3OO 

82 

244 

$188 

$13 

Bushels  of  potatoes    ...            8,005 
Value  $2,001 

5,  '94 

5,636 

5>3o6 

6,784 

10,351 

989 

864 

1,888 

$21  823 

Bushels  of  fruit      ....           4,850 

$2  454 

$6,556 

10,475 

5,047 

Pounds  of  butter    .     .     .     .           8,  100 
Value  ;    $i>33o 

Pounds  of  cheese  .     .     .     .           3.500 

11,299 
$2,706 

1,340 
$133 

5.ISO 

$1,716 

7,431 
$2,903 

10,091 
$3,071 

*4° 

$3  oo 

970 
$231 

Gallons  of  milk      .     .     .     .          15,000 
Value  :    $1,500 

Number  of  swine  .     .     .     .     1         216 

20,787 
$2,286 

76 
$687 

14,225 

$2,565 

$c    =48 

66,697 
$9,532 

217,928 
$32,308 

272 

371,420 
$5i,357 

1,190 

Value  of  tobacco  and  cigars 
Number  employed      .     .     . 

$3,000 
4 

$4,700 

$2,850 

300 


HISTORY    OF   DOVER 
STATISTICS.—  Continued. 


1845- 

1855. 

1865. 

1875. 

1885. 

1895. 

Value  of  wooden  ware    .     . 

_ 

$1,000 

Number  employed     .     .     . 

— 

2 

Number  of  oxen    .... 

_ 

58 

46 

26 

IO 

2 

Value  



$3,472 

$2,978 

$2,350 

$505 

$80 

Number  of  cows    .... 

250 

296 

325 

541 

611 

Value 



$7,726 

$9,765 

$14,378 

$20,183 

$18,740 

Value  of  honey      .... 

— 

523-33 

$16 

54 

Cranberries  



34f<*. 

6J«. 

25ifas/l 

134  bush. 

Value  



$767 

$42 

"$575 

$550 

Value  of  casks  

$5,000 

Number  employed 

— 

7 

Paper  mills  

_ 

, 

i 

Value  of  product    .... 

— 

— 

$21,600 

$62,400 

Number  employed     .     .     . 

— 

— 

7 

Number  of  farms  .... 

— 

— 

121 

89 

Number  employed     .     .     . 
Value  of  farms  

— 

- 

240 

$270,376 

5525,843 

163 

Dressed  beef  (pounds)    .     . 





42,700 

17,35° 

Value  

. 



$4,270 

$1,488 

Veal  (pounds)    .               .     . 

14,982 

10,940 

673 

Value  



$2.097 

$1,412 

$66 

Value  of  poultry     .... 

— 

— 

$486 

5',4'S 

Value  of  eggs    

- 

- 

$1,137 

52,524 

$5,208 

$11,400 

Gallons  of  cider     .... 



_ 

_ 

21,876 

6,740 

J35 

Value 







$3,989 

$967 

$17 

Gallons  of  vinegar 

_ 

_ 

_ 

1,200 

5,068 

Value        .     . 







$225 

$579 

Hoops  m 

2,7OO 

29,000 

Value 



t'' 

$1,  IOO 

$1,007 

Hens  and  chirkcns 

3,029 

5.95' 

Value  .     . 







$2,006 

$3,108 

$2,960 

Bushel  of  charcoal      .     .     . 

I2,OOO 

4,650 

7,000 

Value  



$2,374 



$8  10 

$900 

Green-house  products     .     . 

— 

- 

$6,900 

Poultry  products    .... 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

?I7,4*9 

Value  of  ment    

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$2,163 

Value  of  vegetables   . 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$11,488 

Animal  products    .... 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

59,549 

Value  hay,  straw,  &  fodder 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

541,357 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

THE    CIVIL    WAR. 

TIDINGS  OF  WAR  —  LIBERTY-POLES  —  BATTLES  IN  WHICH 
DOVER  SOLDIERS  SERVED  —  NAMES  OF  DOVER  SOL- 
DIERS KILLED  OR  DIED  IN  SERVICE  —  HOME  GUARDS  — 

ACTION  OF  THE  TOWN  —  RECRUITING  COMMITTEE  — 
AMOUNT  OF  MONEY  RAISED  —  DRAFT  —  PATRIOTIC 
WOMEN  —  WAR  ENVELOPES  —  RECORD  OF  THE  SOLDIERS 
IN  THE  ARMY  AND  NAVY. 

How  sleep  the  brave  who  sink  to  rest, 
By  all  their  country's  wishes  blest! 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung ; 
By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung; 
There  Honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
To  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay; 
And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair, 
To  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there. 

—  COLLINS. 

Immediately  after  the  inauguration  of  President  Lin- 
coln, in  1 86 1,  came  ominous  tidings  of  war.  While 
many  thought  the  war-clouds  would  soon  pass  by,  others 
anxiously  looked  upon  the  faces  of  their  husbands,  sons, 
or  brothers,  dreading  the  sacrifice  that  must  be  made  for 
their  country.  The  daily  newspapers  bore  such  head- 
lines as  these  :  "  The  Secession  of  Virginia  Considered 
Certain";  "Recruits  Raised  in  Washington  and  Balti- 
more for  the  Southern  Army  "  ;  "  Preparations  for  the 
Attack  on  Fort  Sumter "  ;  "The  War  Commenced"; 
"The  War." 


302  HISTORY    OF   DOVEK 

In  the  firing  on  Fort  Sumter  in  April,  1861,  and  in 
President  Lincoln's  call  for  seventy-five  thousand  troops 
for  three  months,  the  patriotism  of  the  town  was  stirred 
as  it  had  not  been  stirred  since  the  iQth  of  April,  1775, 
when  sixty-six  minute-men  gathered  in  an  incredibly 
short  time  from  the  remotest  parts  of  the  town  on  the 
village  green,  and  hastily  marched  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Battle  towards  Lexington. 

While  no  public  meetings  were  held  at  the  time  of 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  yet  the  residents 
numerously  attended  those  held  in  other  towns,  to 
awaken  the  people  to  the  duties  of  the  hour.  Flags 
were  floated  from  many  a  private  flag-staff,  while  the 
residents  of  one  neighborhood  erected  a  "  Liberty-pole  " 
and  had  public  exercises  in  connection  with  the  flag- 
raising. 

In  response  to  the  call  of  President  Lincoln  and  Gov- 
ernor Andrew  for  troops,  Andrew  W.  Bartlett,  who  was 
in  Lowell  at  the  time,  enlisted  for  a  three  month's  ser- 
vice in  the  Massachusetts  Sixth,  which  was  attacked 
by  the  mob  in  Baltimore  on  the  anniversary  of  the 
battle  of  Lexington,  April  19,  1861.  Young  Bartlett 
escaped  without  injury,  but,  like  the  Dover  farmers  at 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  witnessed  the  spilling  of  the 
first  blood  in  the  great  conflict  which  followed.  Seth 
Record  was  also  a  minute-man,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Militia  April  22,  1861.  As  the  name  implies,  they 
were  those  who  responded  at  a  minute's  notice  to  pro- 
tect the  national  capital.  The  minute-men  went  mainly 
in  citizens'  attire,  armed  with  various  weapons  of  defence. 
A  historical  writer  says  :  "  A  delay  of  half  an  hour  in 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  303 

the  arrival  of  the  minute-men  in  Washington  would  have 
found  our  capital  and  the  archives  of  our  government 
in  the  hands  of  the  rebels,  who  would  at  once  have  been 
recognized  by  England  and  France.  Under  these  con- 
ditions, how  could  our  government  have  established  it- 
self among  the  nations  of  the  world  ? "  John  A.  Strang 
was  enlisted  in  the  Massachusetts  Fourth,  which  was 
one  of  the  first  regiments  to  set  foot  on  secession  soil. 
C.  Dwight  Hanscom  enlisted  into  the  Fourth  Regiment 
of  Infantry  May  15,  1861.  All  of  the  above  regiments 
were  a  part  of  the  organization  of  the  Massachusetts 
minute-men  of  1861. 

Out  of  a  population  of  less  than  seven  hundred  souls 
at  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion,  seventy-seven  men 
were  enlisted  to  the  credit  of  the  town  in  the  army  and 
navy  before  the  close  of  the  war  in  1865. 

Dover  soldiers  served  in  a  large  number  of  different 
companies  in  the  artillery,  cavalry,  battery,  and  infantry, 
besides  the  United  States  Navy. 

They  were  consequently  exposed  to  many  hardships 
and  much  danger.  The  following  are  the  most  impor- 
tant battles  in  which  they  took  part :  Big  Bethel,  Second 
Bull  Run,  Manassas,  South  Mountain,  Antietam,  Fred- 
ericksburg,  Chancellorsville,  Gettysburg,  the  battle  of 
the  Wilderness,  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  Petersburg, 
"On  to  Richmond"  with  Grant,  and  in  other  engage- 
ments at  Olustee,  Fla.,  Rappahannock  Station,  Drury's 
Bluff,  and  Thoroughfare  Gap. 

Two  were  commissioned  officers,- —  Henry  A.  Fuller 
and  Henry  H.  Ayer,  both  being  first  lieutenants. 
Thirty-three  enlisted  for  three  years,  seven  for  one  year, 
nine  for  nine  months,  two  for  three  months,  and  four  for 


304  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

one  hundred  days.     Nine  were  killed   or   died  in  the 
service  as  follows :  John  M.  Brown,  died  September  2, 

1862,  at  Yorktown,  Va. ;  John  Stevens,  died  November 
21,  1864,  New  Orleans,  La.  ;  Andrew  W.  Bartlett,  died 
of  wounds  received  at  Olustee,  Fla.,  February  28,  1864  ; 
George    R.    Markham,    killed    at     Second    B'lill    Run ; 
Henry  C.  Jennings,  died  August  6,  1864;  James  Gary, 
died    October    25,    1862,    Sharpsburg,   Md.  ;    Perez    F. 
Fearing,  died  July  30,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  the 
mine-explosion   at    the   battle    before    Petersburg,   Va.  ; 
Lieut.   Henry  H.  Ayer,  wounded  severely  August  26, 

1863,  killed  May  16,  1864,  Drury's  Bluff,  Va.  ;  Albert  A. 
Woods,  died  March  21,  1863,  New  Orleans,  La. 

"  The  muffled  drum's  sad  roll  has  beat 

The  soldiers'  last  tattoo  ; 
No  more  on  life's  parade  shall  meet 

That  brave  and  fallen  few ; 
On  fame's  eternal  camping-ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  Glory  guards  with  solemn  round 

The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war,  remembering  what 
our  soldiers  had  done  to  preserve  a  nation  based  on 
manhood  alone,  where  every  individual  has  the  "  inalien- 
able right  of  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness," 
the  people  devised  various  plans  to  perpetuate  their 
memory,  such  as  the  building  of  a  memorial  hall  or 
the  erection  of  a  soldiers'  monument ;  but  all  of  these 
projects  failed. 

In  1876  the  town  set  apart  lot  numbered  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-one  in  the  cemetery  for  annual  decora- 
tion "  in  memory  of  the  soldiers  who  belonged  to  this 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  305 

town,  but  are  buried  elsewhere,  or  for  the  erection  of  a 
fitting  emblem  of  their  services." 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  there  had  been 
no  military  organization  in  Dover  for  many  years  ;  but  a 
company  known  as  the  "  Home  Guards  "  was  soon  or- 
ganized with  Amos  W.  Shumway  as  captain,  Calvin 
Richards,  lieutenant,  Benjamin  Newell,  ensign.  Meet- 
ings for  drill  were  held  Saturday  afternoons  on  the  vil- 
lage green,  and  marches  were  often  made  to  the  resi- 

O  O  ' 

dences  of  officers,  where  the  company  was  entertained. 
Some  fifty  persons  were  enrolled  in  its  membership, 
with  a  band  of  fifteen  musicians.  The  organization 
took  its  name  from  the  fact  that  the  company  voted  not 
to  go  out  of  town.  In  1861  the  selectmen  were  Amos 
W.  Shumway,  Benjamin  N.  Sawin,  and  Henry  Horton. 
The  first  question  relating  to  the  war  was  considered  at 
the  November  meeting,  1861,  when  it  was  voted  "to 
pay  the  families  of  the  soldiers  in  the  service  from 
Dover  the  aid  allowed  by  the  State  law."  This  aid  was 
restricted  to  twelve  dollars  per  month.  The  amount 
paid  was  reimbursed  to  the  town  by  the  treasurer  of  the 
Commonwealth,  and  for  this  reason  was  called  "  State 
aid."  At  the  March  meeting  in  1862  the  voters  felt 
the  seriousness  of  the  times,  and  resolved  to  elect  a 
board  of  selectmen  of  the  older  and  most  experienced 
men,  and  this  feeling  prevailed  during  the  years  which 
followed.  The  wisdom  of  this  course  is  illustrated 
by  the  fact  that  during  the  entire  period  of  the  war 
no  illegal  action  was  taken,  and  no  perplexing  ques- 
tion had  to  be  settled  at  law,  and  no  money  was  lost  or 
squandered. 

It   is   remembered  of    Calvin   Richards,    chairman   of 


306  J  11  STORY    OF    DOVER 

the  selectmen  in  1862,  that  he  said,  "It  is  very  impor- 
tant that  in  this  business  of  enlisting  men  as  soldiers, 
in  providing  for  their  families,  in  paying  bounties,  that 
we  go  exactly  in  conformity  with  the  law  ;  for  later,  if 
we  make  a  mistake,  there  may  be  lawsuits  and  other 
matters  which  may  cost  the  town  much  loss." 

July  28,  1862,  the  town  voted  to  pay  the  sum  of  two 
hundred  dollars  to  each  volunteer  who  shall  enlist 
within  thirty  days  from  the  date  of  the  meeting.  Nine 
were  required  to  fill  the  quota  of  the  town.  It  was  also 
voted  to  pay  such  volunteers  as  shall  enlist  as  soon  as 
they  are  mustered  into  the  service.  State  aid  was  also 
voted  to  all  having  families.  At  this  meeting  a  recruit- 
ing committee  consisting  of  five  members  was  chosen  to 
assist  the  selectmen  in  procuring  recruits  to  fill  the 
quota  of  the  town.  This  committee,  which  consisted 
of  Ephraim  Wilson,  John  Q.  A.  Nichols,  Asa  Talbot, 
Clement  Bartlett,  and  Benjamin  N.  Sawin,  did  efficient 
work,  and  were  continued  with  the  different  boards  of 
selectmen  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Linus  Bliss,  treas- 
urer of  the  committee,  made  a  report  in  print  to  the 
town  February  22,  1865,  giving  an  account  of  their 
work.  Feeling  the  importance  of  this  work  and  as  a 
means  of  encouraging  others  in  these  trying  times,  the 
town  voted  to  have  the  proceedings  of  their  meeting 
published  in  the  Dedham  Gazette  and  Boston  Journal. 
September  i,  1862,  the  town  voted  "that  the  sum  of 
two  hundred  dollars  be  paid  to  any  resident  of  the  town 
of  Dover  who  volunteered  to  fill  the  quota  required  of 
this  town  for  the  term  of  nine  months,  whether  it  be 
more  or  less,  and  that  said  bounty  be  paid  after  they 
have  been  sworn  into  the  service,  and  that  a  list  of  the 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  307 

names  of  the  persons  be  kept  in  the  order  in  which 
they  volunteer ;  and,  if  more  than  the  required  number 
enlist,  the  excess  shall  be  stricken  from  the  roll,  begin- 
ning at  the  bottom  and  stopping  at  the  required 
number." 

It  was  soon  found  necessary,  however,  to  retain  any 
excess  of  men;  and  November  4,  1862,  it  was  voted 
"  that  the  number  in  excess  of  the  required  quota  be 
retained,  and  that  the  selectmen  pay  the  bounty." 

Soldiers'  families  were  protected  by  "  State  aid  "  from 
year  to  year ;  and,  when  a  draft  became  necessary,  the 
town  voted  "  to  give  State  aid  to  the  families  of  drafted 
men  the  same  as  volunteers." 

April  4,  1864,  it  was  voted  that  the  town  grant  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars  for  each  man  required 
of  this  town  under  the  several  calls  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  dated  October  17,  1863,  February 
i,  1864,  and  under  any  order  or  call  of  the  said  Presi- 
dent issued  after  the  first  day  of  March,  1864.  Liberal 
contributions  were  made  from  time  to  time  by  citizens 
to  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  recruiting  committee. 
Although  the  money  was  afterwards  paid  back  by  the 
town,  the  act  was  in  no  case  less  generous  or  patriotic. 
In  1864  two  thousand  six  hundred  dollars  was  con- 
tributed by  citizens.  May  2,  1865,  the  town  voted  "to 
raise  by  taxation  two  thousand  six  hundred  dollars  to 
pay  every  person  the  amount  by  them  paid  to  furnish 
men  on  the  quota  of  Dover  in  the  year  1864,  except  two 
dollars  which  is  to  be  retained  from  every  male  person 
of  the  town  who  paid  such  subscription."  Contributions 
were  not  confined  to  citizens  who  were  liable  to  draft  : 
others  were  cheerful  givers. 


308  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Linus  Bliss  and  George  D.  Everett  in  1 864  furnished 
substitutes,  who  were  enlisted  for  two  years  and  placed 
to  the  quota  of  Dover.  The  two  substitutes  cost  four 
hundred  dollars  ;  and,  by  vote  of  the  town,  in  1 865  this 
amount  was  refunded.  The  town  raised  and  expended 
during  the  war,  exclusive  of  State  aid,  seven  thousand 
six  hundred  and  nineteen  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents. 

The  amount  of  money  raised  and  expended  by  the 
town  in  State  aid  was  one  thousand  five  hundred  and 
seventy-six  dollars  and  twenty-three  cents.  The  quota 
of  the  town  was  so  well  maintained  that,  in  response  to 
President  Lincoln's  numerous  calls  for  troops,  only 
thirty-three  men  were  demanded  of  the  town. 

Thirty-seven  men  were  furnished, —  a  surplus  of  four 
over  all  demands.  Of  this  number  twenty-two  were 
enlisted  for  a  three  years'  service,  eight  for  nine  months, 
and  seven  entered  the  army. 

In  the  draft  which  occurred  on  the  I3th  of  July, 
1863,  eight  men  were  drafted.  Ansel  K.  Tisdale  and 
Sumner  S.  Allen  were  discharged,  the  former  having 
served  in  the  Massachusetts  Thirteenth  and  had  an 
honorable  discharge.  Thomas  McGowan  failed  to  re- 
port. George  L.  Howe,  Charles  K.  Kirby,  John  O.  A. 
Nichols,  Owen  Kennedy,  and  J.  Stanley  Shaw  paid 
commutation.  In  this  record  of  the  service  of  Dover 
soldiers  we  would  not  forget  a  large  number  of  patriotic 
citizens  who  through  family  or  peculiar  duties  remained 
at  home,  but  who  contributed  in  most  efficient  ways  for 
the  preservation  of  the  Union.  The  town  records  show 
with  what  perfect  unanimity  all  patriotic  measures  were 
passed,  and  reveal  the  fact  that,  while  there  were  many 
chancres  in  the  board  of  selectmen  d  urine:  the  war 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  309 

period,  both  political  parties  were  always  represented  on 
the  board. 

What  shall  be  said  of  the  patriotic  women  of  Dover  ? 
The  full  measure  of  their  patriotism  can  never  be  given, 
for  "  they  also  serve  who  only  stand  and  wait."  Scarcely 
had  the  smoke  cleared  from  the  first  battle  at  Bull  Run 
when  the  women  of  this  town  met  to  prepare  lint  and 
bandages  for  the  wounded,  whose  cry  of  distress  had 
touched  every  true  woman's  heart.  Balzac  says : 
"  Woman  has  this  in  common  with  angels  :  suffering 
beings  belong  especially  to  her."  At  this  time  the 
churches  forgot  their  sectarianism  ;  and  as  a  united  body 
the  women  met,  without  waiting  for  the  organization  of 
a  "  Soldiers'  Aid  Society,"  in  hall,  in  chapel,  in  school- 
house,  and  provided  necessary  articles  to  strengthen  the 
hands  of  the  sympathetic  and  self-sacrificing  nurses  who 
were  caring  for  the  wounded  and  the  sick,  on  the  field 
and  in  the  hospital. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  war,  when  the  cry  went  forth 
for  every  one  to  show  his  colors,  the  women,  under  the 
inspiring  efforts  of  Miss  Sarah  Plummer,  made  a  flag 
with  their  own  hands.  As  bunting  was  scarce  and 
high  in  price  consequent  to  a  small  supply,  the  ladies 
purchased  Turkey  red  and  bleached  cotton,  out  of  which 
they  made  the  flag,  which  was  floated  during  the  entire 
period  of  the  war.  The  flag  bore  on  the  blue  not  only 
the  required  number  of  stars,  but  in  addition  a  large 
eagle.  The  flag-staff  was  erected  by  the  men  opposite 
the  residence  of  George  D.  leveret t.  The  young  ladies, 
with  the  enthusiasm  of  early  womanhood,  assisted  by 
the  young  men,  provided  entertainments  to  raise  money 
for  the  purchase  of  necessary  articles,  which  willing 


310  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

hands  made  into  stockings,  mittens,  comforters,  and 
blankets,  distributed  through  the  New  England  Sani- 
tary Commission  or  the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society,  the 
latter  being  composed  entirely  of  patriotic  women. 
The  teachers  in  the  public  schools  taught  the  chil- 
dren to  sing  patriotic  songs ;  and  their  united  voices 
were  an  inspiration  as  in  the  morning  hours  they 

sang,— 

"We  '11  rail)'  round  the  flag,  boys, 

We  '11  rally  once  again, 
Shouting  the  battle-cry  of  freedom." 

As  a  reward  for  perfect  lessons  the  children  were 
allowed  to  pick  lint,  and  the  girls  made  pin-cushions, 
which  were  forwarded  to  the  soldiers. 

In  summer  the  women  made  jams  for  the  sick  in 
hospitals,  from  raspberries  and  blackberries,  which  had 
been  gathered  by  the  boys  and  girls  in  field  and  high- 
way. The  skilled  cooks  of  a  neighborhood  frequently 
united  in  preparing  savory  viands,  substantial  meats, 
and  dainty  bits  of  cooking,  which  they  united  in  sending 
to  the  soldier-boys  in  the  field  as  they  had  opportunity. 
The  intellectual  wants  of  the  soldiers  were  not  forgotten 
by  the  people  of  their  town.  Books  and  papers  were 
sent  in  abundance,  the  reading  of  which  helped  the 
soldiers  to  beguile  many  a  weary  hour. 

The  cost  of  commodities  steadily  increased  during 
the  war  period.  The  following  prices,  taken  from  the 
books  of  George  D.  Everett  for  the  fall  of  1864  and  the 
spring  of  1865,  show  the  cost  of  articles  at  this  time: 
pork,  twenty-two  cents  a  pound  ;  lard,  twenty-five  cents 
a  pound  ;  sugar,  twenty-eight  cents  a  pound  ;  butter, 
fifty-eight  cents  a  pound ;  tea,  one  dollar  and  forty 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  311 

cents  a  pound ;  potatoes,  two  dollars  and  thirty  cents 
a  bushel ;  flour,  nineteen  dollars  a  barrel ;  molasses, 
one  dollar  and  ten  cents  a  gallon ;  kerosene,  one  dollar 
and  ten  cents  a  gallon  ;  hay,  forty  dollars  a  ton  ;  oats, 
one  dollar ;  corn,  four  dollars  and  forty-five  cents  a  bag  ; 
meal,  four  dollars  and  twenty  cents  a  bag  ;  nails,  eleven 
cents  a  pound. 

In  the  early  years  of  the  Rebellion  "war  envelopes" 
were  used  in  correspondence  as  an  expression  of  the 
patriotism  of  the  people.  As  time  went  on  they  were 
made  to  illustrate  the  history  of  the  war,  although  as 
originally  issued  they  but  illustrated  the  sentiment  of 
the  people.  Crude  in  design,  nevertheless  they  inspired 
many  a  soldier  in  the  camp  and  on  the  field.  Beautiful 
sentiments  were  sometimes  expressed,  and  now  and  then 
a  verse  appeared  on  an  envelope,  designed  to  commemo- 
rate an  heroic  deed.  The  following  verse  was  thus 
used  to  commemorate  the  romantic  death  of  Colonel 
Ellsworth  in  1861  :  — 

"  Do  n't  shed  a  tear  for  him  ! 

Better  to  go, 
Eager  with  victor) , 

Facing  the  foe. 
For  one  life  like  this  life 

A  thousand  shall  pay, 
And  the  fury  it  kindles 

Shall  carry  the  day." 

The  record  of  the  services  of  Dover  soldiers  is  given 
in  full :  - 

William  H.  Allen,  private,  Company  M,  Third  Rhode 
Island  Heavy  Artillery;  enrolled  at  Providence,  Jan.  12, 
1862  ;  mustered  in  Feb.  12,  1862  ;  discharged  on  sur- 


312  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

geon's  certificate,  July  2,  1862.  This  record  may  not 
be  correct  ;  but  this  is  the  only  one  appearing  on  the 
record  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  answering  to  the 
individual  of  the  above  name,  who  should  have  been 
placed  to  the  credit  of  Dover.  The  selectmen,  under 
date  of  Aug.  26,  1862,  make  oath  that  William  Allen 
belonged  to  the  quota  of  Dover,  and  was  enlisted  in  a 
Rhode  Island  battery. 

Henry  H.  Ayer,  first  lieutenant,  Company  B,  Third 
Infantry,  New  Hampshire  Volunteers  ;  appointed  Aug. 
22,  1861  ;  mustered  in  Aug.  22,  1861,  three  years' 
service;  appointed  captain,  Company  H,  Aug.  i,  1862  ; 
wounded  severely  Aug.  26,  1863  ;  killed  May  16,  1864, 
Drury's  Bluff,  Va. 

Calvin  Ayres,  private,  age  twenty-five,  Seventh  Bat- 
tery, Light  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mus- 
tered in  May  27,  1862,  three  years'  service;  discharged 
Aug.  26,  1862,  disability. 

Samuel  H.  Bachelder,  private,  age  twenty  -  nine, 
Company  I,  Thirty-fifth  Regiment,  Massachusetts  Vol- 
unteers ;  mustered  in  Aug.  16,  1862,  three  years'  ser- 
vice; mustered  out  Jan.  9,  1863.  Expiration  of  service, 
wrongly  credited  to  Cambridge,  Mass. 

Andrew  W.  Bartlett,  private,  age  twenty-four,  Com- 
pany C,  Sixth  Massachusetts  Volunteers ;  enrolled  at 
Lowell;  mustered  in  April  22,  1861,  three  months'  ser- 
vice; discharged  at  expiration  of  service,  Aug.  2,  1861  ; 
enlisted  Company  I,  Fourth  Cavalry,  Massachusetts 
Volunteers;  mustered  in  Sept.  25,  1861,  three  years' 
service ;  transferred  to  Company  I,  Fourth  Cavalry, 
and  promoted  to  corporal;  re-enlisted  Jan.  i,  1864,  for 
three  years.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at  Olustee, 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  313 

Fla.,  Feb.  20,  1864,  and  died  at  Beaufort,  S.C.,  Feb. 
28,  1864. 

George  Bemis,  erroneously  credited  to  Needham,  pri- 
vate, age  eighteen  years,  Company  K,  Forty-second 
Volunteer  Militia ;  mustered  in  July  1 8,  1 864,  one  hun- 
dred days'  service;  discharged  Nov.  11,  1864. 

Chester  A.  Bigelow,  musician,  age  eighteen,  Com- 
pany H,  Thirteenth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers;  mustered  in  Feb.  24,  1862,  three  years'  service; 
transferred  July  14,  1864,  to  Company  I,  Thirty- 
ninth  Regiment ;  taken  prisoner  at  second  Bull  Run, 
exchanged  the  following  January  ;  again  taken  prisoner 
at  Gettysburg,  July  i,  1863  ;  did  not  serve  in  Thirty- 
ninth  Regiment,  as  he  was  appointed  ward  master  in 
hospital.  Discharged  Feb.  23,  1865,  expiration  of 
service. 

Heman  Blackwell,1  not  traced  in  adjutant-general's 
office. 

James  E.  Brown,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Eleventh 
Battery,  Light  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ; 
mustered  in  Dec.  30,  1864,  three  years'  service;  dis- 
charged Jan.  1 6,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

John  M.  Brown,  private,  age  thirty-three  years, 
Seventh  Battery,  Light  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teer Militia,  three  years'  service  ;  mustered  in  May  14, 
1862  ;  died  at  Yorktown,  Va.,  Sept.  2,  1862. 

James  Gary,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company  G, 
Thirty-second  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Mili- 
tia;  mustered  in  May  27,  1862,  three  years'  service; 
died  Oct.  25,  1862,  Sharpsburg,  Md.  ;  received  bounty, 
four  hundred  and  eighty-two  dollars  and  sixty-six  cents. 

1  The  selectmen,  under  date  of  Aug.  25,  1862,  make  oath  that  he  had  entered  the  ser- 
vice from  Dover. 


3 '4  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Irving  Colburn,  private,  age  seventeen,  Company  F, 
Forty-fourth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia  ; 
mustered  in  Sept.  12,  1862,  nine  months'  service;  dis- 
charged at  termination  of  service,  June  18,  1863. 

Charles  Conner  received  two  hundred  dollars'  bounty 
from  the  town  in  1864;  record  not  traced  in  the  office 
of  the  adjutant-general,  Boston. 

Theodore  L.  Dunn,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Com- 
pany C,  Thirteenth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteer 
Militia;  mustered  in  Feb.  25,  1862,  three  years'  ser- 
vice; discharged  Dec.  18,  1862,  disability. 

George  W.  Fearing,  corporal,  age  twenty-five,  Com- 
pany K,  Forty-fourth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers;  mustered  in  Sept.  16,  1862,  nine  months'  ser- 
vice ;  discharged  July  30,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

Perez  F.  Fearing,  private,  age  twenty-two,  Company 
I,  Thirty-fifth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mus- 
tered in  Aug.  1 6,  1862,  three  years'  service;  mortally 
wounded  in  mine  explosion  before  Petersburg,  and  died 
July  30,  1864. 

Henry  A.  Fuller,  first  lieutenant,  age  twenty-four, 
Thirtieth  Infantry;  mustered  in  Feb.  20,  1862,  three 
years'  service;  discharged  May  i,  1865. 

Edwin  F.  Gay,  private,  age  eighteen,  Company  F, 
Forty-fourth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mus- 
tered in  Sept.  12,  1862,  nine  months'  service;  dis- 
charged June  1 8,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

John  T.  Gilman,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company 
M,  First  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mustered 
in  Sept.  23,  1861,  three  years'  service;  transferred  to 
Company  M,  Fourth  Cavalry;  discharged  Sept.  24, 
1864,  expiration  of  service. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  315 

Hibbard  W.  Oilman,  private,  age  twenty-two,  Com- 
pany D,  First  Battalion,  Frontier  Cavalry,  Massachusetts 
Volunteers;  mustered  in  Jan.  2,  1865,  one  year's  ser- 
vice; discharged  June  30,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

Lewis  E.  Oilman,  private,  age  twenty-four,  Company 
L,  Third  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mustered 
in  Dec.  30,  1 864,  one  year's  service ;  discharged  Sept. 
28,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

William  R.  Groce,  private,  age  nineteen,  Company  G, 
Forty-third  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ;  mus- 
tered in  Sept.  12,  1862,  nine  months'  service;  dis- 
charged June  30,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

Henry  J.  Hanks,  private,  age  twenty-seven,  Company 
L,  Fourth  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service;  mustered  in  Oct.  7,  1861  ;  discharged 
Oct.  12,  1864,  expiration  of  service. 

William  G.  Hart,  private,  age  eighteen,  Company  K, 
Forty-second  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  one  hundred 
days'  service;  mustered  in  July  18,  1864;  discharged 
Nov.  n,  1864,  expiration  of  service.  Wrongly  credited 
to  Montville,  Me. 

C.  Dwight  Hanscom,  private,  age  twenty-three,  Com- 
pany I,  Second  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ; 
enlisted  May  15,  1861,  three  years' service ;  promoted 
to  corporal  Dec.  22,  1861  ;  wounded  May  3,  1863,  at 
the  battle  of  Chancellorsville ;  discharged  in  conse- 
quence of  wounds,  Dec.  12,  1863. 

John  Hogan,  private,  age  thirty-two ;  mustered  in 
Sept.  5,  1862  ;  service  not  traced  in  office  of  adjutant- 
general. 

Henry  C.  Jennings,  private,  age  thirty,  Company  C, 
Nineteenth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ;  mus- 


316  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

tered  in  April  22,  1864,  three  years'  service  ;  died  Aug. 
6,  1864. 

Augustus  A.  Leach,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company 
C,  Second  Infantry;  mustered  in  July  30,  1862,  three 
years'  service;  discharged  Sept.  23,  1862,  disability. 

William  Lennon,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Fourteenth 
Battery,  Light  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ; 
mustered  in  March  4,  1 862,  three  years'  service  ;  dis- 
charged June  15,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

Elbridge  L.  Mann,  private,  age  twenty-eight,  Com- 
pany B,  Forty-second  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers ;  mustered  in  Sept.  22,  1862,  nine  months'  service  ; 
discharged  Aug.  20,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

George  H.  Mann,  corporal,  age  twenty-two,  Company 
K,  Forty-fourth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ; 
mustered  in  Sept.  12,  1862,  nine  months'  service  ;  dis- 
charged June  1 8,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

William  McAllister,  corporal,  age  twenty-one,  Com- 
pany I,  Fourth  Heavy  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers ;  mustered  in  Aug.  17,  1864,  one  year's  service; 
discharged  June  17,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

John  McLaughlin,  private,  age  thirty-eight,  Company 
I,  Fourth  Heavy  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ; 
mustered  in  Aug.  17,  1864,  one  year's  service;  dis- 
charged June  17,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

William  Martin,1  not  traced  in  adjutant-general's 
office. 

George  R.  Markham,  private,  age  nineteen,  Company 
H,  Thirteenth  Infantry;  mustered  in  Feb.  24,  1862, 
three  years'  service;  killed  Aug.  30,  1862,  at  Bull 
Run,  Va. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  317 

Ellis  Harden,  private,  age  thirty-nine,  Company  B, 
First  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers ;  mustered  in 
Sept.  17,  1861,  three  years'  service;  deserted  Dec.  31, 

1862,  at  Camp  Parole,  Annapolis,  Md. 

Charles  W.  Myer,  age  forty-two,  Company  F,  Nine- 
teenth Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mustered  in 
July  31,  1863,  three  years'  service;  deserted  Aug.  20, 

1863.  A  substitute. 

Benjamin  Miller,  not  traced  in  office  of  adjutant- 
general. 

Thomas  Monroe,  private,  age  'thirty-two,  wrongly 
credited  to  Boston,  Company  E,  Third  Heavy  Artil- 
lery; mustered  in  Oct.  19,  1863,  three  years'  service; 
discharged  Sept.  18,  1865. 

Michael  O'Donnell,  private,  age  twenty-three,  Com- 
pany D,  First  Battalion,  Frontier  Cavalry,  Massachu- 
setts Volunteers  ;  mustered  in  Jan.  2,  1865,  one  year's 
service  ;  discharged  June  30,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

Timothy  O'Ragan,  private,  age  nineteen,  wrongly 
credited  to  Needham,  Company  B,  Forty-fifth  Massa- 
chusetts Volunteers;  mustered  in  Sept.  26,  1862,  nine 
months'  service;  mustered  out  July  7,  1863. 

Seth  Record,  private,  age  twenty-two,  Company  B, 
Fourth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia ;  mustered  in 
April  22,  1 86 1  ;  mustered  out  July  22,  1861. 

Philo  Record,1  private,  not  traced  in  adjutant- 
general's  office. 

Daniel  Shruckrove,2  not  traced  in  adjutant-general's 
office. 

IThe  selectmen,  under  date  of  Aug.  25,  1862,  make  oath  that  he  had  entered  the 
service  of  the  United  States  from  Dover. 

2  Reported  by  the  recruiting  committee  as  having  been  placed  to  the  credit  of 
Dover  to  meet  the  call  of  Dec.  18,  186.4. 


318  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Frederick  E.  Smith,  private,  age  eighteen,  Company 
H,  Sixteenth  Massachusetts  Volunteer  Militia,  one  hun- 
dred days'  service;  mustered  in  July  23,  1864;  mus- 
tered out  Nov.  30,  1864,  expiration  of  service. 

Lewis  Smith,  Jr.,  private,  age  nineteen,  Company  M, 
First  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three  years' 
service;  mustered  in  Sept.  23,  1861  ;  transferred  to 
Company  M,  Fourth  Cavalry ;  discharged  Sept.  24, 
1864,  expiration  of  service. 

John  E.  Strang,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company  F, 
Fourth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mustered 
in  May  22,  1861,  three  months'  service;  discharged 
July  22,  1 86 1  ;  re-enlisted  and  placed  to  the  credit  of 
Medfield  ;  died  in  the  service. 

Howard  A.  Staples,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Com- 
pany H,  Thirteenth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service;  mustered  in  Feb.  21,  1862;  wounded 
at  Gettysburg  July  3,  1863  ;  transferred  to  Thirty- 
ninth,  July  14,  1864;  discharged;  wrongly  credited  to 
Natick. 

John  Stevens,  private,  age  thirty,  Thirteenth  Battery, 
Light  Artillery,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three  years' 
service;  mustered  in  April  21,  1864;  died  Nov.  21, 
1864,  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

Eugene  Sumner,  private,  Company  E,  First  Cavalry, 
three  years'  service;  record  not  traced  in  adjutant- 
general's  office. 

Levi  A.  Talbot,  private,  age  twenty,  Company  B, 
Forty-second  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  nine 
months'  service;  mustered  in  Sept.  22,  1862;  dis- 
charged Aug.  20,  1863,  expiration  of  service;  wrongly 
credited  to  Sharon,  Mass. 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  319 

Erastus  L.  Tennor  enlisted  on  the  quota  of  Dover, 
was  transferred  to  the  navy,  and  is  wrongly  credited  to 
Brookline,  Mass. 

Ansel  K.  Tisdale,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company 
H,  Thirteenth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service;  mustered  in  Aug.  18,  1862  ;  discharged 
Nov.  26,  1862,  disability. 

Benjamin  W.  Thomas,  private,  age  twenty-five,  Com- 
pany B,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service ;  mustered  in  Jan.  29,  1 864  ;  discharged 
Oct.  31,  1865. 

Samuel  G.  Thomas,  saddler,  age  eighteen,  Company 
B,  Fifth  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three  years' 
service;  mustered  in  Jan.  29,  1864;  discharged  Oct. 
31,  1865. 

William  H.  Thomas  enlisted  Sept.  21,  1864,  as  a 
substitute ;  record  not  traced  in  the  office  of  the 
adj  utant-general. 

James  M.  Towle,  private,  age  eighteen,  Company  K, 
Fifty-sixth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service;  mustered  in  Feb.  25,  1864;  deserted 
March  20,  1864,  at  Readville,  Mass. 

Charles  H.  Tyler,  private,  enrolled  Feb.  12,  1865; 
mustered  out  July  20,  1865,  Second  Cavalry. 

John  H.  Wade,  private,  age  nineteen,  enlisted  Sept. 
i,  1864,  one  year's  service;  discharged  June  4,  1865. 

Patrick  Wall,  private,  age  forty,  Company  A,  Twenty- 
eighth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three  years' 
service;  mustered  in  Dec.  13,  1861  ;  discharged  Nov. 
9,  1862,  disability. 

James  Welsh,  private,  age  twenty-six,  Company  I, 
Thirty-fifth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 


320  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

years'  service;  mustered  in  Aug.  16,  1862;  deserted 
Sept.  17,  1862,  Antietam,  Md. 

Michael  Welsh,  private,  age  twenty-four,  Company 
B,  Sixty-first  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  one 
year's  service;  mustered  in  Sept.  i,  1864;  discharged 
June  4,  1865,  expiration  of  service. 

Ithamar  Whiting,  private,  age  twenty-four,  Company 
E,  Fifth  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  one  hun- 
dred days'  service;  mustered  in  July  22,  1864;  dis- 
charged Nov.  1 6,  1864,  expiration  of  service. 

William  Whiting,  private,  age  thirty-four,  Company 
B,  Forty-second  Infantry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
nine  months'  service;  mustered  in  Sept.  22,  1862  ;  dis- 
charged Aug.  20,  1863,  expiration  of  service. 

John  F.  Williams,  private,  age  twenty-one,  was  a  sub- 
stitute;  enlisted  July  31,  1863,  unassigned. 

George  H.  Wise,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company 
A,  Twenty-ninth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three  years' 
service  ;  enlisted  May  9,  1861  ;  transferred  to  Company 
I,  Thirty-sixth  Massachusetts  Volunteers  ;  mustered  out 
Aug.  15,  1864. 

Albert  A.  Woods,  private,  age  twenty-one,  Company 
K,  Third  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  three 
years'  service  ;  mustered  in  Aug.  6,  1 862  ;  died  March 
21,  1863,  New  Orleans,  La.  ;  wrongly  credited  to  Need- 
ham,  Mass. 

NAVY. 

Joseph  Boy,  age  thirty-one,  private ;  enlisted  April 
1 6,  1864,  Second  Cavalry,  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
three  years'  service;  transferred  to  the  navy,  May  17, 
1864,  for  two  years;  served  one  day,  United  States  ship 


THE    CIVIL    WAR  321 

"Ohio";  served  on  the  "  Sabine,"  and  was  discharged 
Jan.  31,  1866.  He  is  wrongly  credited  to  New  Marl- 
boro, Mass. 

William  Feicht,  age  twenty-two,  cook  ;  enlisted  June 
25,  1861,  two  years'  service;  served  on  the  United 
States  ships  "Ohio"  and  "  Susquehanna  "  ;  discharged 
Aug.  23,  1 86 1. 

Erastus  L.  Fenner  enlisted  March  9,  1863,  one 
year's  service ;  served  in  the  United  States  ship  "  Ber- 
muda "  ;  deserted  at  Philadelphia,  July  25,  1863. 

John  F.  Frost,  age  twenty-nine,  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
Aug.  8,  1864,  three  years'  service;  served  on  United 
States  ships  "Ohio,"  "Brooklyn,"  "John  Adams,"  and 
"Columbia";  discharged  June  3,  1865. 

Joseph  R.  Foss,  age  twenty-one,  blacksmith ;  enlisted 
June  24,  1 86 1,  two  years'  service;  served  on  the 
United  States  ships  "  Ohio,"  "  North  Carolina,"  "  Pensa- 
cola,"  and  "Thomas  Freeborn  "  ;  deserted  Jan.  2,  1863. 

Henry  Gilbert,  age  twenty-three,,  enlisted  Dec.  21, 
1 864,  as  a  substitute  for  George  D.  Everett  ;  served  in 
United  States  ship  "  J.  P.  Jackson  "  ;  deserted  March 
12,  1865. 

YVillard  J.  Hotchkiss,  age  twenty-nine,  enlisted  Aug. 
8,  1 864,  one  year's  service  ;  served  in  the  United  States 
ships  "  Dunbarton  "  and  "  Lodona  "  ;  discharged  June 
11,  1865,  from  the  "Princeton." 

Robert  Mitchell,  age  twenty-nine,  enlisted  Aug.  8, 
1 864,  one  year's  service  ;  served  on  the  United  States 
ships  "  Ohio  "  and  "  Brooklyn  "  ;  took  part  three  days 
at  the  capture  of  Fort  Fisher,  Jan.  13-15,  1865;  dis- 
charged June  17,  1865,  from  the  "Princeton." 

Coleman   Scofield,  age  twenty-nine,  enlisted  Oct.  13, 


322  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

1862,  two  years'  service;  served  on  the  United  States 
ships  "  Ohio,"  "  Colorado,"  "  Calhoun,"  and  "  New  Lon- 
don "  ;  discharged  Feb.  27,  1865. 

Lewellen  Smitherest,  age  sixteen,  enlisted  Oct.  16, 
1862,  one  year's  service;  served  in  United  States  ships 
"  Ohio,"  "  Colorado,"  and  "  Lafayette  "  ;  deserted  Feb. 
20,  1863. 

Alfred  A.  Stinson,  age  nineteen,  enlisted  Oct.  13, 
1862,  one  year's  service;  served  on  United  States  ships 
"  Ohio,"  "  Colorado,"  and  "  Lafayette  "  ;  discharged 
Feb.  14,  1863. 

William  Taylor,  age  eighteen,  enlisted  Oct.  22,  1862, 
two  years'  service ;  served  on  United  States  ships 
"  Ohio,"  "  Colorado,"  and  "  Benton  "  ;  discharged  Oct. 
30,  1864. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

NATURAL   HISTORY. 

GEOLOGY  —  MINERALOGY- — FLORA — WEEDS — SYLVA — SHRUBS 
AND  VINES  —  FERNS  —  FAUNA  —  BIRDS. 


The  blooms  of  home  and  native  air 
Are  ever  dearest  to  us  all. 

—  L.  D.  SMITH. 

Oh,  loveliest  there  the  spring  days  come, 
With  blossoms,  and  birds,  and  wild  bees'  hum  ; 
The  flowers  of  summer  are  fairest  there, 
And  freshest  the  breath  of  the  summer  air. 

—  BRYANT. 

The  world  is  too  much  with  us.  Late  and  soon 
Getting  and  spending,  we  lay  waste  our  powers ; 
Little  we  see  in  Nature  that  is  uurs. 

—  WORDSWORTH. 


GEOLOGY    AND    MINERALOGY. 

Gazing  upon  our  hills,  valleys,  and  fertile  fields,  we  sel- 
dom realize  the  fact  that  the  soil  which  covers  them  was 
formed  from  the  decomposition  of  rocks  and  the  action 
of  organic  agencies  upon  these  decomposed  particles. 

Geological  formation  and  environment  are  said  largely 
to  determine  plant-distribution. 

To  this  cause  may  be  traced  the  full  and  exceed- 
ingly rich  flora  of  the  town.  A  collection  of  rocks  and 
minerals  has  been  made,  covering  the  entire  territory  of 
the  township  ;  and  an  analysis  of  the  specimens  gives 
the  following  results  :  — 

ROCKS. —  Granite,  felsite,  diorite,  diabase,  sandstone. 

MINERALS. —  Pyrites,  quartz,  porphyry,  iron. 


324  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Granite.  The  fine-textured  part  is  the  ordinary  rock ; 
while  the  coarse  is  the  granite  dike,  having  the  minerals 
deposited  from  solution.  Composition  :  feldspar,  quartz, 
and  mica. 

Granite  with  red  orthoclase  and  chlorite. 

Felsite,  worn  by  water.  Contains  orthoclase,  feld- 
spar, and  quartz. 

Felsite,  red  variety. 

Chalcopyrite.     Contains    copper,    iron,    and    sulphur. 

Quartz,  worn  by  abrasion. 

Ferruginous  quartz,  oxide  of  silicon  with  iron. 

Quartz  crystals  upon  trap  rock. 

Wad,  or  earthy  manganese,  upon  quartz ;  oxide  of 
manganese. 

Quartz,  massive  variety  ;  pure  oxide  of  silicon. 

Smoky  quartz. 

Diorite,  fine-grained. 

Diorite,  coarser  variety  (hornblende  and  feldspar). 

Porphyry. 

Diabase  (feldspar  and  pyroxene). 

Sandstone  (ferruginous  sand). 

Quartzite. 

Silicate  of  alumina  with  an  alkali  metal. 

FLORA.  ' 

AMARYLLIS  FAMILY. —  Yellow  Star-grass,  Hypoxis 
ere  eta. 

ARUM  FAMILY. —  Jack-in-the-pulpit,  Ariscema  tripJiyl- 
lum ;  Wild  Calla,  Calla  pains tris ;  Skunk  Cabbage, 

1  No  attempt  has  been  made  to  give  a  complete  flora  of  Dover.  Few  rare  flowers 
have  been  given :  nearly  all  can  be  readily  found.  Mr.  T.  Otis  Fuller,  of  Needham, 
who  is  familiar  with  the  flora  of  the  town,  is  of  the  opinion  that  a  list  of  a  thousand 
flowers  could  easily  be  made  during  the  succession  of  a  single  season. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  325 

Symplocarpus  fcetidus  ;  Arrow  arum,  Peltandra  Vir- 
ginica  ;  Sweet  Flag,  Acorns  Calamus. 

BALSAM  FAMILY. —  Jewel-weed,  Impatiens  fulva, 

BARBERRY  FAMILY. — •  Barberry,  Berberis  vulgaris. 

BORAGE  FAMILY. —  Forget-me-not. 

BROOM-RAPE  FAMILY. —  One-flowered  Cancer-root, 
ApJiyllon  uniflorum. 

BUCKTHORN  FAMILY. —  New  Jersey  Tea,  Ceanothus 
Americanns  ;  Buckthorn,  RJiamnus  catJiarticns. 

COMPOSITE  FAMILY. —  Purple  Asters,  Aster;  Black- 
eyed  Susan,  Rudbeckia  Jdrta  ;  Climbing  Boneset,  Eupa- 
torium  perfoliatum  ;  Dandelion,  Taraxacum  officinale  ; 
Elecampane,  Inn  la  Helenium  ;  Fall  Dandelion,  Leonto- 
don  antmnnale  ;  Golden  Ragwort,  Scnccio  anreus  ;  Iron- 
weed,  Vernonia  Noveboracensis ;  Joe-pye-weed,  Enpa- 
torium  purpurenm ;  Life  Everlasting,  GnapJialium 
polycepJialum ;  Ox-eyed  Daisy,  Chrysanthemum  Icucan- 
tlicmnm  ;  Yarrow,  Achillca  M illefolium  ;  White  Asters, 
Aster  ;  Thorough  wort,  Eupatorium  perfoliatum  ;  Squaw- 
weed,  Scnccio  anrcns ;  Robin's  Plantain,  Erigcron  bcl- 
lidifolinm ;  Sunflower,  HcliantJins  annnns ;  Thistle, 
Cnicus  sp.  ;  Tansy,  Tanacctnin  vulgarc  ;  Plantain-leaved 
Everlasting,  Antennaria  plantaginifolia. 

CONVOLVULUS  FAMILY. —  Dodder,  Cnscitta  Gronovii ; 
Wild  Morning  Glory,  Convolvulus  Americanns  ;  Bracted 
Bindweed,  Calystcgia  scpinni. 

CROWFOOT  FAMILY. —  Goldthread,  Coptis  trifolia ; 
Marsh  Marigold  (Cowslip),  Caltha palustris ;  Anemone, 
Anemone  nemorosa  ;  Traveller's  Joy  ;  Columbine,  Aqui- 
Icgia  Canadensis  ;  I^arly  Crowfoot,  Ranunculus  fascicn- 
laris ;  Meadow  Rue,  TJialictrum  Cornuti ;  Thimble- 
weed  ;  Rue  Anemone,  Anemonella  tJialictroidcs ;  Clem- 


326  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

atis,  Clematis  Virginiana ;  Buttercup,  Ranunculus  acris ; 
White  Water  Crowfoot,  Ranunculus  aquatilis ;  Yellow 
Water  Crowfoot,  Ranunculus  multifidus  ;  Hepatica,  He- 
patica  triloba ;  Tall  Anemone,  Anemone  Virginiana. 

DOGBANE  FAMILY. —  Dogbane,  Apocynnm  cannabi- 
num. 

DOGWOOD  FAMILY.—  Dwarf  Cornel,  Cornus  Canaden- 
sis  ;  Flowering  Dogwood,  Cornus  florida. 

EVENING  PRIMROSE  FAMILY. —  Evening  Primrose, 
CEnotkera  biennis  ;  Fireweed,  Epilobium  angustifolium  ; 
Enchanter's  Nightshade,  Circ&a  Lutctiana. 

FIGWORT  FAMILY. —  Butter-and-eggs,  Linaria  vulga- 
ris ;  Cow-wheat,  Melampyrum  America num ;  Mullein, 
Verbascum  Tliapsus ;  Turtle-head,  CJielonc  glabra  ; 
Wood  Betony,  Pcdicularis  Canadcnsis ;  Gerardia,  Ge- 
rardia  purpurea ;  Downy  Foxglove,  Gerardia  flava ; 
Smooth  Foxglove,  Gerardia  quercifolia ;  Toadflax,  Li- 
naria Canadcnsis ;  Monkey-flower,  Mimulus  ringcns. 

FUMITORY  FAMILY. —  Corydalis,  Corydalis  glauca  ; 
Squirrel  Corn,  Dicentra  Canadcnsis;  Dutchman's 
Breeches,  Dicentra  Cucullaria ;  Climbing  Fumitory, 
Adlumia  cirrJiosa. 

GERANIUM  FAMILY. —  Cranesbill,  Geranium  macula- 
turn ;  Herb-robert,  Geranium  Rob ertianum. 

GENTIAN  FAMILY. —  Gentian,  Gcntiana  crinita  ;  Float- 
ing Heart,  LimnantJicmum  lacunosum. 

GINSENG  FAMILY. —  Ginseng  (Dwarf),  Aralia  tri- 
folia ;  Greenbrier,  Smilax  rotundifolia ;  Wild  sarsa- 
parilla,  Aralia  nudicaulis. 

HEATH  FAMILY. —  Leather-leaf,  Cassandra  calycu- 
lata ;  Checkerberry,  GaultJieria  procumbens ;  Indian 
Pipe,  Monotropa  uniflora  ;  Shin-leaf,  Pyrola  rotundifolia; 


NATURAL    HISTORY  327 

Prince's  Pine,  ChimapJiila  ^lmbellata  ;  Sweet-pepper- 
bush,  CletJira  alnifolia  ;  Pine  Sap,  Monotropa  Hypopitys  ; 
Rhodora,  Rhododendron  Canadensis  ;  Spotted  Pipsissewa, 
Chimaphila  mactdata  ;  Clammy  Azalea,  Azalea  viscosa  ; 
Mountain  Laurel,  Kalmia  latifolia  ;  Sheep  Laurel,  Kal- 
mia  angnstifolia  ;  Cranberry,  Vaccinium  macrocarpon  ; 
Blueberry,  Vaccinium  Pennsylvanicum ;  Swamp  Blue- 
berry, Vaccinium  corymbosum ;  Huckleberry,  Gaylussa- 
cia  resinosa. 

HONEYSUCKLE  FAMILY. —  Fly-honeysuckle,  Lonicera 
ciliata. 

HORSETAIL  FAMILY. —  Scouring  Rush,  Equisetum. 

IRIS  FAMILY. —  Blue-eyed  Grass,  Sisyrinchium  angns- 
tifolium ;  Fleur-de-lis ;  Sweet  Flag ;  Blue  Flag,  Iris 
Virginica. 

LAUREL  FAMILY. —  Fever-bush,  Lindera  Benzoin; 
Spice-bush,  Lindera  odorifcrum  ;  Sassafras,  Sassafras 
officinale. 

LILY  FAMILY. —  Adder's  Tongue,  Erythronium 
Americanum ;  Bell  wort,  Uvular  ia  perfoliata ;  False 
Solomon's  Seal,  Maianthemum  Canadensis ;  False  Hel- 
lebore, Veratrum  viridc ;  Dog's-tooth  Violet,  Erythro- 
nium Americanum ;  Star  of  Bethlehem,  Ornithogalum 
umbellatum  ;  Bellwort,  Uvularia  sessilifolia  ;  Solomon's 
Seal,  Polygonatum  biflorum  ;  Wild  Red  Lily,  Lilium 
PJiiladelpJdcum ;  Canada  Lily,  Lilium  Canadense  ; 
Clintonia  borealis. 

LOOSESTRIFE  FAMILY. —  Purple  Loosestrife,  LytJirum 
Salic  aria. 

LOBELIA  FAMILY. —  Cardinal-flower,  Lobelia  cardi- 
nalis. 

MALLOW  FAMILY. —   Mallow,    Hibiscus   MoscJieutos ; 


328  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Swamp  Rose  Mallow,  Hibiscus  Moscheutos ;  Common 
Mallow,  Malva  rotundifolia. 

MADDER  FAMILY. —  Button-bush,  Cephalanthus  occi- 
dentalis ;  Bedstraw,  Galium  borcale ;  Partridge-berry, 
MitcJiella  repcns ;  Yellow  Bedstraw,  Galium  vcrum ; 
Houstonia. 

MELASTOMA  FAMILY. —  Meadow-beauty,  Rhexia  Vir- 
ginica. 

MILKWORT  FAMILY. —  Fringed  Polygala,  Polygala 
paucifolia  ;  Moss  Polygala,  Polygala  criiciata  ;  Polygala 
polygama ;  Polygala  sanguined, 

MINT  FAMILY. —  Blue  Curls,  TricJwstcma  dicJwto- 
mum ;  Self-heal,  Brunclla  vulgaris ;  Ground  Ivy, 
Ncpeta  GlecJwma ;  Motherwort,  Leomirus  Cardiaca ; 
Spearmint,  Mentha  viridis ;  Peppermint,  McntJia  pipc- 
rita ;  Catnip,  Nepeta  Cataria ;  Pennyroyal,  Hcdeoma 
pulegioides ;  Hedge-nettle,  StacJiys  palnstris. 

MILKWEED  FAMILY. —  Butterfly-weed,  Asclcpias  tnbc- 
rosa ;  Common  Milkweed,  Asclcpias  Cornnti ;  Swamp 
Milkweed,  Asclcpias  incarnata ;  Whorled  Milkweed, 
Asclcpias  verticillata  ;  Four-leaved  Milkweed,  Asclcpias 
quadrifolia. 

MUSTARD  FAMILY. —  Shepherd's  Purse,  Caps  el  la 
Bursa-pastoris  ;  Winter-cress,  Barbarca  vulgaris ;  Wild 
Radish,  RapJianus  Raphanistrum  ;  Water-cress,  Nastur- 
tium officinalc. 

NIGHTSHADE  FAMILY. —  Nightshade,  Solanum  Dul- 
camara ;  Thorn-apple,  Datura  Stramonium. 

ORCHIS  FAMILY. —  Arethusa,  ArctJiusa  bulbosa; 
Adder's  Mouth,  Pogonia  opJiioglossoidcs ;  Coral-root, 
Corallorkiza  multiflora ;  Ladies'  Tresses,  SpirantJies 
cernua ;  Moccason  Flower,  Cypripedium  acanlc  ;  Rag- 


NATURAL    HISTORY  329 

ged  Fringed  Orchis,  Habenaria  lacera ;  Rattlesnake- 
plantain,  Goodyera  pubescens ;  Yellow  Lady's  Slipper, 
Cypripedium  pubescens ;  Calopogon,  Calopogon  pulcJiel- 
lus  ;•  Ladies'  Tresses,  SpirantJies  gracilis. 

OXALIS  FAMILY. —  Wood  Sorrel,  Oxalis  Acetosella. 

PARNASSIA  FAMILY. —  Grass  of  Parnassus,  Parnassia 
Caroliniana. 

PARSLEY  FAMILY. —  Wild  Carrot,  Daucus  Carota ; 
Wild  Parsnip,  Zisia  aurea. 

PINK  FAMILY. —  Bouncing  Bet,  Saponaria  officinalis  ; 
Bladder  Campion,  Silene  inflata ;  Wild  Pink,  Silene 
Pennsylvania  ;  Agrostemma  GitJiago. 

PITCHER-PLANT  FAMILY. —  Pitcher-plant,  Sarracenia 
purpnrea. 

POPPY  FAMILY. —  Blood-root,  Sanguinaria  Cana- 
densis. 

POKEWEED  FAMILY. —  Pokeweed,  PJiytolacca  de- 
candra. 

PRIMROSE  FAMILY. —  Yellow  Loosestrife,  Lysimacliia 
quadrifolia ;  Star- flower,  Tricntalis  Americana;  Loose- 
strife, LysimacJiia  ciliata. 

PULSE  FAMILY. —  Bush  Clover,  Lespedeza  Jiirta  ;  Hog 
Peanut,  Ampliicarpcza  monoica  ;  Wild  Lupine,  Lupimis 
perennis ;  White  Clover,  Melilotns  alba ;  Yellow  Clo- 
ver, Trifolium  agrarium ;  Wild  Indigo,  Baptisia  tinc- 
toria ;  Blue  Vetch,  Vicia  Cracca ;  Ground-nut,  Apios 
tuberosa ;  Rabbit-foot  Clover,  Trifoliitm  arvense ;  Red 
Clover,  Trifolium  pratcnse ;  Tephrosia,  TepJirosia  Vir- 
giniana ;  Yellowbush  Clover,  Lespedeza  violacea  ; 
Locust,  Robinia  psendacacia ;  Everlasting  Pea  ;  Rose 
Acacia,  Robinia  hispida  ;  Partridge  Pea,  Cassia  Cliamce- 
crista. 


33°  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

PURSLANE  FAMILY. —  Common  Purslane,  Portulaca 
olcracea. 

ROSE  FAMILY. —  Agrimony ;  Cinquefoil,  Potcntilla 
Canadensis  ;  Meadow-sweet,  Spircea  salicifolia ;  White- 
thorn, Crat&gus  OxyacantJia ;  Purple  Avens,  Geum 
album ;  Hardhack,  Spircea  tomentosa ;  Marsh  Five- 
finger,  Potentilla  palnstris ;  Wild  Rose,  Rosa  blanda  ; 
Sweet  Brier,  Rosa  rnbiginosa ;  Shadbush,  Amclanchier 
Canadensis ;  Chokeberry,  Pyrus  arbutifolia ;  High 
Blackberry,  Rubus  villosns  ;  Dewberry,  Rubus  Canaden- 
sis ;  Wild  Red  Raspberry,  Rubus  strigosus ;  Thimble- 
berry,  Rubus  occidentalis  ;  Strawberry,  Fragaria  vesca  ; 
Wild  Black  Cherry,  Prunus  scrotina ;  Choke  Cherry, 
Primus  Virginiana. 

SAN  DAL  WOOD  FAMILY. —  Bastard  Toad-flax,  Co- 
mandra. 

SAXIFRAGE  FAMILY. —  Saxifrage,  Saxifraga  Virgini- 
ensis ;  Swamp  Saxifrage,  Saxifraga  Pennsylvania. 

STAFF-TREE  FAMILY. —  Bitter-sweet,  Celastrus  scan- 
dens. 

ST.  JOHN'S-WORT  FAMILY. — •  Marsh  St.  John's- wort, 
Elodes  Virginica ;  St.  John's-wort,  Hypcricum  perfora- 
tnm. 

SUNDEW  FAMILY. —  Sundew,  Droscra  rotundifolia. 

TRILLIUM  FAMILY. —  Indian  Cucumber-root,  Mcdcola 
Virginica;  Nodding  Trillium  (Wake  Robin),  Trillium 
cernunm. 

VERVAIN  FAMILY. —  Blue  Vervain,   Verbena  hastata. 

VINE  FAMILY. —  Woodbine,  Ampelopsis  quinquefolia  ; 
Wild  Grape,  Vitis  Labrusca. 

VIOLET  FAMILY. —  Blue  Violet,  Viola  f>al>/iata  ;  Yel- 
low Violet,  Viola  pubesccns ;  White  Violet,  Viola 


NATURAL    HISTORY  331 

blanda  ;  Birdfoot  Violet,  Viola  pedata ;  Arrow-leaved 
Violet,  Viola  saggitata ;  Common  Blue  Violet,  Viola 
cucullata. 

WATER-PLANTAIN  FAMILY. —  Arrow-head,  Sagittaria 
variabilis. 

WATER-LILY  FAMILY. —  White  Water  Lily,  Nymphcea 
odorata  ;  Yellow  Pond  Lily,  Nuphar  advena. 

WEEDS. 

"  More  in  the  garden  grows 
Than  the  gardener  knows." 

Professor  Bailey,  of  Brown  University,  says  there  is 
no  intrinsic  difference  between  a  weed  and  any  other 
plant. 

"  A  weed  is  naught  but  a  flower  in  disguise, 
Which  is  seen  through  at  once  if  love  gives  a  man  eyes." 

A  weed  is  well  defined  as  a  plant  which  persists  in 
growing  where  it  is  not  wanted. 

The  term  "weed"  has  for  an  agriculturist  a  perfectly 
definite  meaning.  It  means  that  the  special  plant  to 
which  the  name  may  be  applied  springs  up  and  thrives 
to  the  exclusion  of  better  things.  It  is  a  curious  fact 
that  most  of  our  weeds  have  a  European  origin.  In- 
deed, many  of  them  grow  here  more  vigorously  than 
in  the  Old  World,  their  native  home.  This  list  includes 
only  common  weeds. 

Pig-weed,  Amaranthis,  Purslane,  Chickweed,  White- 
weed,  Cone  Flower,  Chiccory,  Butter-and-eggs,  Cockle- 
bur,  Cotton-thistle,  Burdock,  Plantains,  Wild  Carrot, 
Canada-thistle,  Dandelion,  Caraway,  Knot-weed,  .Milk- 
weed, Wild  Parsnip,  Wormwood,  Wild  Turnip,  Garget, 
Pennyroyal,  Pickerel-weed,  Sorrel,  Yarrow. 


33 2  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

SYLVA. 

American  Linden,  Basswood,  Tilia  Americana,  L. 

Common,  or  Smooth,  Sumach,  Rhus  glabra,  L. 

Copal,  or  Dwarf,  Sumach,  Rhus  copallina,  L. 

Poison  Sumach,  Poison  Dogwood,  RJius  venenata^ 
D.C. 

Sugar  Maple,  Rock  Maple,  Acer  saccJiarinum,  Wang. 

Red,  or  Swamp,  Maple,  Acer  rub  rum,  L. 

Silver-leaf  Maple,  Acer  dasycarpum,  Ehrh. 

Wild  Red  Cherry,  Prunus  Pennsylvania,  L. 

Choke  Cherry,  Prunus  Virginiana,  L. 

Wild  Black  Cherry,  Prunus  scrotiua,  Ehrh. 

Witch-hazel,  Hamamelis  Virginiana,  L. 

Flowering  Dogwood,  or  Cornel,  Cornus  florida,  L. 

Black  Alder,  Winterberry,  Ilex  verticillata,  Gray. 

White  Ash,  Fraxinus  Americana,  L. 

Sassafras,1  Sassafras  officinale,  Nees. 

American  Elm,  Ulmus  Americana,  L. 

Plane-tree,  Buttonwood,  Sycamore,  Platanus  occiden- 
talis,  L. 

Butternut,  Juglaus  cinerca,  L. 

Shagbark,  Shellbark  Hickory,  Gary  a  alba,  Nutt. 

Pig-nut  or  Broom  Hickory,  Carya  porcina,  Nutt. 

White  Oak,  Quercus  alba. 

Swamp  White  Oak,  Quercus  bicolor,  Willd. 

Scrub  Oak,  Quercus  ilicifolia,  Wang. 

Scarlet  Oak,  Quercus  coccinca,  Wang. 

Chestnut,  Castanca  satii'a,  Mill.  ;  var.  Americana, 
Michx. 

Beech,  Fagus  fcrruginea,  Ait. 

1  A  grove  of  sassafras-trees  is  found  on  the  farm  of  J.  S.  Care}-,  the  largest  of  which 
measures  six  and  one-half  feet  in  circumference. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  333 

Hazel-nut,  Filbert,  Corylus  Americana,  Nutt. 

Hop  Hornbeam,  Ironwood,  Ostrya   Virginiana,  Willd. 

Hornbeam,  Ironwood,  Blue  or  Water  Beech,  Carpimis 
Caroliniana,  Walter. 

Cherry  Birch,  Sweet  or  Black  Birch,  Betula  lenta,  L. 

American  White  Birch,  Gray  Birch,  Betula  popnli- 
folia,  Ait. 

Smooth  Alder,  Alnns  sernilata,  Willd. 

White  Poplar,  Populus  alba,  L. 

White  Pine,  Finns  Strobns,  L. 

Pitch  Pine,  Finns  rigida,  Miller. 

Hemlock,  Tsnga  Canadensis,  Carr. 

Red  Cedar,  Savin,  Jitniperns  Virginiana,  L. 

Creeping  ]\mvper,Jiinipenis  Sabina,  L. 

Hackmatack,  Larix  Americana. 

Balm  of  Gilead,  Populns  candicans. 

Thorn,  Cratcegus  tomeritosa. 

SHRUBS    AND    VINES. 

Hardback  and  Meadow  Sweet,  Spircea  tomentosa  and 
salicifolia. 

High  and  Low  Blackberry,  Rnbus  villusns  and  Cana- 
densis. 

Raspberry,  Rnbns  strigosns  and  occidentalis. 

The  Sheep  Laurel,  Kalmia  latifolia  and  angustifolia. 

Azalea  riscosa. 

Blueberry,   Vaccinium  Pennsylvanicum. 

Huckleberry,  Gaylussacia  frondosa  and  resinosa. 

Cranberry,   Vaccininm  macrocarpo)i. 

Sweet  Fern,  Compionia  asplenifolia. 

Sweetgale,  Anthoxanthum  odoratnm. 


334  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Elder,  Sambucus  Canadensis  2&&  pubens. 

Barberry,  Berberis  vulgaris. 

Lilac,  Syringa  vulgaris,  pale  violet  and  white. 

Gooseberry,  Ribcs  Grossularia  and  Jtirtellum. 

Rose,  Rosa,  including  exotics,  many  species. 

Grape-vines,   Vitis,  wild  and  cultivated. 

Woodbine  or  Virginia  Creeper,  Ampclopsis  quinque- 
folia. 

Bush  Honeysuckle,  Diervilla  trifida. 

Bittersweet,  Celastrus  scaudens,  and  others  are  native 
here. 

Green  brier,  Smilax  rotundifolia. 

Bay-berry. 

Partridge-vine. 

Clematis. 

Nature's  Wax-work. 

Viburnum,    Viburnum  sp. 


FERNS. 

Polypodium  vulgar e,  L.,  Common  Polypody. 
Adiantum  pe datum,  L.,  Maiden-hair. 
Pteris  aquilina,  L.,  Brake  or  Bracken. 
Woodwardia  Virginica,  Smith,  Chain-fern. 
Asplenium  Trichomancs,  L. 
Asplenium  ebcneum,  Ait.,  Ebony-fern. 
Asplenium  tJiclypteroides,  Michx. 
Asplenium  Filix-fccmina,  Bernh.,  Lady-fern. 
Phegopteris  hexagonoptera,  Fee,  Beech-fern. 
Phegoptcris  Dryopteris,  Fee,  Ternatc  Beech-fern. 
Aspidium  Thelypteris,  Swartz,  Shield-fern. 
Aspidium  Noveboracense,  Swartz. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  335 

Aspidium  simulatum. 

Aspidium  spinulosum,  var.  intermedium,  Eaton. 
Aspidium  Boottii,  Tuckerman. 
Aspidium  cristatum,  Swartz. 
Aspidium  marginale,  Swartz. 
Aspidium  acrostichoides,  Christmas-fern. 
Cystopteris  fragilis,  Bernh.,  Bladder-fern. 
Onoclea  sensibilis,  L.,  Sensitive-fern. 
Woodsia  Ilvensis,  R.  Brown. 
Woodsia  obtusa,  Torr. 
Dicksonia  pilosiuscula,  Willd. 
Lygodium  palmatum,  Swartz,  Climbing  Fern. 
Osmunda  regalis,  L.,  Flowering  Fern. 
Osmunda  Claytoniana,  L. ,  Interrupted  Osmunda. 
Osmunda  cinnamomea,  L.,  Cinnamon-fern. 
BotrycJiium  ternatum  var.  obliquum. 
BotrycJiium  ternatum  var.  dissectum. 
BotrycJdum   Virginianum,  Swartz. 
Ophioglossum  vulgatum,  L. 


FAUNA. 

Common  animals  abound,  as  the  woodchuck,  skunk, 
chipmunk,  red  squirrel,  gray  squirrel,  flying  squirrel, 
raccoon,  rabbit,  weasel,  muskrat,  fox,  mink,  and  otters 
are  occasionally  taken.  Among  reptiles  may  be  men- 
tioned several  kinds  of  tortoises  and  snakes,  including 
the  rattlesnake,  which  is  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Rocky 
Woods.  The  amphibians  are  represented  by  several 
varieties  of  frogs,  toads,  and  salamanders.  Trout, 
pickerel,  perch,  eels,  hornpouts,  and  other  fishes  inhabit 
the  stream.  And  spiders  and  insects  are  found  in 
great  number  and  variety. 


336  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

BIRDS/ 

The  following  list  of  birds  is  not  designed  to  be  a 
contribution  to  ornithology,  but  to  present  in  brief 
form  as  correct  and  complete  an  enumeration  of  the 
bird-fauna  of  Dover  as  it  is  practicable  to  procure  at 
the  present  time,  and  thereby  stimulate  observation. 
It  is  the  result  of  personal  observations  made  during 
many  years,  partly  in  Dover,  but  more  largely  in  those 
portions  of  Sherborn,  Natick,  and  Wellesley  imme- 
diately adjoining,  and,  in  addition,  of  verbal  notes 
communicated  by  other  persons  living  in  the  vicinity. 
Owing  to  the  lack  of  resident  observers  a  list  of  local 
records  would  of  necessity  be  so  meagre  as  to  be  of 
little  use,  and  would  give  an  erroneous  impression  'of 
the  fauna.  Persons  desirous  of  obtaining  fuller  in- 
formation on  this  subject  should  consult  the  "Anno- 
tated List  of  Birds  of  Wellesley  and  Vicinity," 
published  by  the  author  of  the  present  list. 

All  of  the  species  enumerated  have  been  noted  within 
a  short  distance,  nearly  all  within  a  mile,  of  the  town 
boundaries,  and  most  of  them  in  the  town  itself.  Addi- 
tional species,  chiefly  of  the  water-birds  and  shore-birds, 
doubtless  occur  from  time  to  time,  records  of  which  in 
the  immediate  vicinity  I  have  been  unable  to  secure. 

The  economic  importance  of  birds  is  often  overlooked 
even  by  those  who  are  most  benefited.  They  are  one 
of  nature's  most  efficient  means  for  keeping  in  check 
the  myriads  of  injurious  insects  with  which  the  agri- 
culturist has  to  contend.  As  a  class,  even  the  pre- 
daceous  birds  —  the  hawks  and  owls  —  do  vastly  more 

'Contributed  by  Albert  Pitts  Morse,  curator  of  the  Zoological  Museum,  Wellesley 
College. 


' 


NATURAL    HISTORY  337 

good  than  harm,  destroying  multitudes  of  field-mice  and 
other  small  rodents  of  the  farm,  though  individuals  often 
merit  and  receive  condemnation  and  punishment  at  the 
hands  of  the  irate  poultry-raiser. 

In  addition  to  their  economic  importance  the  birds 
appeal  most  forcibly  to  our  aesthetic  sense.  The  wooing 
and  mating,  and  building  of  the  nest,  the  eggs  —  dumb 
miracles  of  life,  the  rearing  of  the  brood,  the  instinct 
that  draws  them  irresistibly  to  dare  the  perils  of  the  un- 
known in  extended  journeys  at  the  appointed  time, — 
these  have  appealed  to  the  sympathies  of  mankind  since 
the  remotest  ages.  In  their  cries  find  expression  all 
the  gladsomeness  of  day  and  the  weirdness  of  night,  the 
freedom  of  the  plain  and  the  mystery  of  the  forest, 
the  hopefulness  of  dawn,  the  serenity  and  trust  of 
evening,  the  yearning  of  spring  and  the  melancholy  of 
autumn.  In  their  silence  is  death. 


Holbosll's  Grebe,  Red-necked  Grebe,  Colymbus  Jwl- 
bazllii.1  Occasional  on  river  ;  migrant. 

Horned  Grebe,  "  Crested  Grebe,"  Colymbus  auritus. 
Occasional  on  river  ;  migrant. 

Pied-billed  Grebe,  "  Dipper,"  Podilymbns  podiceps. 
Common  on  river  in  fall. 

Loon,  Urinator  iniber.  Frequently  seen  on  neighbor- 
ing ponds  in  fall  and  spring. 

Dovekie,  "  Little  Auk,"  Alle  alle.  A  number  were 
seen  after  a  severe  storm  a  score  of  years  ago. 

American    Herring     Gull,    Larus    argcntatus    smitli- 

1  The  terminology  and  sequence  of  species  is  that  adopted  by  the  American  Orni- 
thologists' Union. 


338  HISTORY    OF   DOTER 

sonianus.     A  large  gull,   probably  of  this  species,  was 
found  dead  in  the  west  part  some  years  ago. 

Bonaparte's  Gull,  Larns  philadelpJiia.  Has  been 
taken  on  neighboring  ponds. 

Tern,  Sterna  sp.  (?)  Examples  are  occasionally  seen 
about  neighboring  lakes  after  hard  storms. 

Greater  Shearwater,  Pitffinus  grains.  A  specimen 
was  taken  on  the  Cheney  estate  several  years  ago. 

American  Merganser,  "  Sheldrake,"  Merganser  amcri- 
canus.  Occasional  on  river  and  common  on  neighboring 
ponds  in  spring. 

Hooded  Merganser,  Lophodytcs  cncnllatns.  Scarce. 
Has  been  taken  on  the  river  in  spring. 

Mallard,  Anas  bosclias.  Has  been  taken  in  former 
years,  now  rare. 

Black  Duck,  Anas  obscnm.  Common  in  fall.  A  few 
breed. 

Baldpate,  Anas  amcricana.  Has  been  taken  on 
neighboring  ponds. 

Green-winged  Teal,  Anas  carolinensis.  Formerly 
common  on  the  river  in  fall,  but  now  scarce. 

Blue-winged  Teal,  Anas  discors.  Scarce,  formerly 
not  uncommon. 

Wood  Duck,  Ai.v  sponsa.  Common.  Summer  resi- 
dent. Most  numerous  in  August  and  September. 

Lesser  Scaup  Duck,  Little  Blackhead,  Aytliya  affinis. 
Occasional  on  neighboring  ponds. 

Ring-necked  Duck,  Aytliya  collaris.  Occasional  on 
neighboring  ponds. 

Golden-eye,  "  Whistlewing,"  Clangiila  clangula  amcri- 
cana. Common  in  spring  on  neighboring  ponds. 
Sometimes  seen  on  the  river. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  339 

Buffle-head,  Charitonetta  alb  cola.  Occasional  on 
neighboring  ponds.  Migrant. 

American  Scoter,  Oidemia  americana.  Occasional 
on  neighboring  ponds.  Migrant. 

Surf  Scoter,  Oidemia  perspicillata.  Occasional  on 
neighboring  ponds.  Migrant. 

Ruddy  Duck,  Erismatura  jamaiccnsis.  Not  uncom- 
mon in  fall. 

Canada  Goose,  Wild  Goose,  Branta  canadcnsis.  Usu- 
ally seen  in  numbers  when  migrating.  Occasionally  a 
flock  alights  in  the  river  or  neighboring  lakes. 

Bittern,  "Stake-driver,"  Botanrus  lentiginosns.  A 
not  uncommon  summer  resident. 

Great  Blue  Heron,  Ardea  Jierodias.  Common  along 
the  river  in  spring  and  late  summer. 

American  Egret,  White  Heron,  Ardea  cgretta.  Mr. 
A.  L.  Babcock,  of  Sherborn,  states  that  a  specimen  of 
this  species  was  killed  by  Mr.  Abram  Bigelow  on  the 
river  some  years  ago. 

Green  Heron,  Ardea  inrcsccns.  Common  along  the 
river  in  summer. 

Black-crowned  Night  Heron,  Nycticorax  nycticorax 
n<zvins.  Frequently  seen  in  spring  and  summer. 

Virginia  Rail,  Rallns  virginianus.  Not  uncommon. 
Summer  resident,  but  seldom  seen  until  fall. 

Sora,  Carolina  Rail,  "  Meadow  Hen,"  Porzana  Caro- 
lina. Common  summer  resident.  Most  often  seen  in 
September. 

Florida  Gallinule,  Gallinnla  galcata.     Rare. 

American  Coot,  Fnlica  americana.  Not  uncommon 
in  fall. 

American  Woodcock,  PJiiloJicla  minor.  Migrant. 
Common  in  flights.  A  few  breed. 


340  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Wilson's  Snipe,  Gallinago  delicata.     Locally  common 
in  spring  and  fall. 

Dowitcher,     Red-breasted      Snipe,     Macrorhamphus 
griseus.     Occasional. 

Least  Sandpiper,  Tringa  minutilla.     Occasional. 

Greater  Yellowlegs,  Totanus  inelanoleucus.  Occa- 
sional. 

Yellowlegs,  Totanns  fiavipes.  Occasional  after 
storms  in  summer. 

Solitary  Sandpiper,  Tot  amis  solitaritis.  Common  in 
midsummer  along  the  river. 

Spotted  Sandpiper,  "Teeter-tail,"  Actitis  macularia. 
Common  summer  resident. 

Killdeer,  sEgialitis  vocifera.  Rare.  Has  been  seen 
in  former  years. 

Bob-white,  Quail,  Colinus  virginianus.  Common 
resident. 

Ruffed  Grouse,  "  Partridge,"  Bonasa  unibellns.  Com- 
mon resident. 

Passenger  Pigeon,  Ectopistes  migratorius.  Very  rare. 
Formerly  common  summer  resident. 

Mourning  Dove,  Zenaidnra  macroura.  A  not  uncom- 
mon summer  resident. 

Marsh  Hawk,  Circus  Jindsonius.  Summer  resident. 
Rather  common,  especially  in  spring  and  fall. 

Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  "Chicken  Hawk,"  Accipiter 
velox.  Common  summer  resident.  Very  troublesome 
to  young  poultry. 

Cooper's  Hawk,  Accipiter  cooperii.  Occasionally  met 
with.  Breeds. 

American  Goshawk,  Accipiter  atricapillus.  Rarely 
seen,  in  fall  and  winter. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  341 

Red-tailed  Hawk,  "Hen-hawk,"  Bnteo  borealis.  Not 
uncommon.  Breeds. 

Red-shouldered  Hawk,  "  Hen-hawk,"  Bnteo  lineatus. 
Not  uncommon.  Breeds. 

Bald  Eagle,  Halicsetns  leucocepJialus.  Very  rare. 
One  specimen  shot  and  another  seen,  at  South  Sher- 
born,  some  years  ago. 

Pigeon  Hawk,  Falco  colnmbarins.      Scarce. 

American  Sparrow  Hawk,  Falco  sparverius.  Occa- 
sionally seen. 

American  Osprey,  Fish  Hawk,  Pandion  haliaetus 
carolinensis.  Frequently  seen  along  the  river. 

American  Barn  Owl,  Strix  pratincola.  Accidental. 
One  specimen  taken  several  years  ago  and  now  in 
museum  of  Wellesley  College. 

American  Long-eared  Owl,  Asia  wilsonianns.  Not 
uncommon.  Resident. 

Short-eared  Owl,  Asia  accipitrimis.     Rather  rare. 

Barred  Owl,  Syrnium  nebulosum.  Scarce,  but  occa- 
sionally seen  in  fall. 

Saw-whet  Owl,  Nyctala  acadica.  Not  common.  Resi- 
dent, or  winter  visitor. 

Screech  Owl,  Megascops  asio.     Common  resident. 

Great  Horned  Owl,  Bubo  virginianus.  Frequently 
taken.  Resident. 

Snowy  Owl,  Nyctca  nyctca.  Rarely  seen,  in  fall  or 
winter. 

American  Hawk  Owl,  Snrnia  nlnla  caparocli.  Very 
rare,  but  has  been  taken  in  this  vicinity. 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  Coccyzns  americanus.  Com- 
mon summer  resident. 

Black-billed  Cuckoo,  Coccysns  erythrophthalmus. 
Common  summer  resident. 


342  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Belted  Kingfisher,  Ccryle  alcyon.  Not  uncommon 
summer  resident. 

Hairy  Woodpecker,  Dry  abates  villosus.  Not  uncom- 
mon visitor  in  fall  and  winter. 

Downy  Woodpecker,  Dryobates  pubescens  medianus. 
Common  resident. 

Arctic  Three-toed  Woodpecker,  Picoides  arcticus. 
Very  rare. 

Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker,  Sphyrapicns  varins.  Fre- 
quently seen  in  migrations. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker,  Melanerpes  erytlirocepJialus. 
Irregular  visitor.  Sometimes  not  rare  in  fall. 

Flicker,  Golden-winged  Woodpecker,  Colaptcs  auratus. 
Common  summer  resident.  A  few  pass  the  winter. 

Whip-poor-will,  Antrostomns  vociferus.  Common 
summer  resident. 

Nighthawk,  Chordcilcs  virginianus.  Not  uncommon. 
Summer  resident. 

Chimney  Swift,  Chatum  pclagica.  Abundant  sum- 
mer resident. 

Ruby-throated  Hummingbird,  TrocJiilns  cohibris. 
Common  summer  resident. 

Kingbird,  Tyranuus  tyranmts.  Very  common  sum- 
mer resident. 

Crested  Flycatcher,  Myiarchus  crinitus.  Scarce  and 
somewhat  local  summer  resident. 

Phoebe,  Pewee,  Sctyornis  phcebc.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Olive-sided  Flycatcher,  Contopus  borcalis.  Formerly 
rather  common,  now  rare. 

Wood  Pewee,  Contopns  I'ircns.  Common  summer 
resident. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  343 

Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher,  Empidonax  flaviventris. 
Not  uncommon  migrant. 

Least  Flycatcher,  "  Chebec,"  Empidonax  minimus. 
Very  common  summer  resident. 

Horned  Lark,  Otocoris  alpestris.  Rarely  seen  in 
spring  and  fall. 

Blue  Jay,  Cyanocitta  cristata.     Abundant  resident. 

American  Crow,  Corvus  americanus.  Common 
resident. 

Bobolink,  Dolichonyx  orysivorus.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Cowbird,  Molotlirus  ater.     Common  summer  resident. 

Red-winged  Blackbird,  Agelaius  pJiocniccus.  Abun- 
dant summer  resident. 

Meadowlark,  Sturnella  magna.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Orchard  Oriole,  Icterus  spurius.  Rare  summer  resi- 
dent. 

Baltimore  Oriole,  Icterus  galbula.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Rusty  Blackbird,  Scolccopliagus  carolinus.  Common 
migrant,  especially  numerous  in  fall. 

Bronzed  Crackle,  Crow  Blackbird,  Quiscalus  quiscula 
cencus.  Common.  A  few  breed.  Often  appears  in 
very  large  flocks  in  fall. 

Evening  Grosbeak,  Coccothraustes  vcspertinus.  Sev- 
eral specimens  were  taken  just  across  the  river  in  South 
Natick  and  Wellesley  early  in  1890,  during  an  incur- 
sion of  this  species  from  the  West. 

Pine  Grosbeak,  Pinicola  enuclcator.  Irregular  winter 
visitor,  sometimes  common. 

Purple  Finch,  Carpodacus  purpnreus.  Common  sum- 
mer resident.  Sometimes  a  few  winter. 


344  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

English  Sparrow,  Passer  domcsticus.  Common  resi- 
dent. 

Red  Crossbill,  Loxia  curinrostra  minor.  A  not  un- 
common winter  visitor. 

White-winged  Crossbill,  Loxia  Icucoptcra.  Scarce. 
Irregular  winter  visitor. 

Redpoll,  AcantJiis  linaria.  Common  but  irregular 
winter  visitor. 

American  Goldfinch,  Spinus  tristis.  Common  resi- 
dent. 

Pine  Siskin,  Spinus  pinns.  Rare  fall  and  winter 
visitor. 

Snowflake,  Snow  Bunting,  PlcctropJienax  nivalis. 
Common  but  irregular  winter  visitor. 

Vesper  Sparrow,  Grass  Finch,  Pooccztes  gramineus. 
Common  summer  resident. 

Savanna  Sparrow,  Aininodramns  sandivichcnsis 
savanna.  Common  migrant,  most  numerous  in  fall. 

Grasshopper  Sparrow,  Yellow-winged  Sparrow,  Ammo- 
dramus  savannantm  passerinns.  Rare  summer  resident. 

White-crowned  Sparrow,  ZonotricJiia  lencophrys. 
Scarce.  Occasionally  seen  in  spring. 

White-throated  Sparrow,  ZonotricJiia  albicollis.  Com- 
mon in  spring  and  fall. 

Tree  Sparrow,  Spizella  monticola.  Common  in 
colder  months. 

Chipping  Sparrow,  Chippy,  Spizclla  socialis.  Abun- 
dant summer  resident. 

Field  Sparrow,  Spizclla  pnsilla.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Slate-colored  Junco,  Black  Snowbird, ///;/<r<?  Jiyeinalis. 
Abundant  transient  visitor  in  fall  and  spring,  less 
common  in  winter. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  345 

Song  Sparrow,  Melospiza  fasciata.  Abundant  sum- 
mer resident.  Sometimes  seen  in  winter. 

Swamp  Sparrow,  Mclospiza  georgiana.  Common 
summer  resident. 

Fox  Sparrow,  Passerella  iliaca.  Common  in  spring 
and  fall. 

Towhee,  Chewink,  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus.  Com- 
mon summer  resident. 

Cardinal,  Cardinalis  cardinalis.  Casual.  Several 
specimens  have  been  seen,  but  some  were  doubtless 
escaped  cage-birds. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  Zamelodia  ludoviciana. 
Common  summer  resident. 

Indigo  Bunting,  Passerina  cyanea.  Rather  common 
summer  resident.  4 

Scarlet  Tanager,  Piranga  erythromelas.  Common 
summer  resident. 

Purple  Martin,  Prague  snbis.  Scarce,  local,  summer 
resident. 

Cliff  Swallow,  Eaves  Swallow,  Petrochelidon  luni- 
frons.  Scarce,  local,  summer  resident. 

Barn  Swallow,  Cliclidon  erytJirogastra.  Abundant 
summer  resident. 

Tree  Swallow,  White-bellied  Swallow,  Tachycineta 
bicolor.  Summer  resident,  locally  common.  Abundant 
in  migrations. 

Bank  Swallow,  Clivicola  riparia.  Locally  common 
summer  resident. 

Cedar  Waxwing,  Cedarbird,  Ampelis  ccdrornin.  Com- 
mon summer  resident.  Frequently  occurs  in  winter. 

Northern  Shrike,  Butcherbird,  Laniits  bo  re  a  Us. 
Rather  common  winter  visitor. 


346  HISTORY    OF   DOVER 

Red-eyed  Vireo,  Virco  olivacens.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Warbling  Vireo,  Vireo  gihus.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Yellow-throated  Vireo,  Virco  flavifrons.  Locally 
common  summer  resident. 

Blue-headed  Vireo,  Vireo  solitarins.  Common  in 
spring.  Rarely  breeds. 

White-eyed  Vireo,  Vireo  noveboraccnsis.  Rare  sum- 
mer resident. 

Black  and  White  Warbler,  Mniotilta  varia.  Common 
summer  resident. 

Golden-winged  Warbler,  Helminthophila  chrysoptcra. 
Scarce  summer  resident. 

Nashville  Warbler,  Helminthophila  rubricapilla. 
Common  migrant,  less  common  summer  resident. 

Northern  Parula  Warbler,  Compsothlypis  amcricana 
nsnece.  Common  in  spring. 

Cape  May  Warbler,  Dcndroica  tigrina.     Rare  migrant. 

Yellow  Warbler,  Dcndroica  (estiva.  Common  sum- 
mer resident. 

Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  Dcndroica  aernlcsccns. 
Scarce  migrant. 

Myrtle  Warbler,  Yellow-rumped  Warbler,  Dendroica 
coronata.  Abundant  migrant. 

Magnolia  Warbler,  Dcndroica  niacnlosa.  Rather 
common  in  spring. 

Chestnut -sided  Warbler,  Dcndroica  pcnsylranica. 
Plentiful  in  spring,  less  common  as  a  summer  resident. 

Bay-breasted  Warbler,  Dcndroica  castanca.  Rare 
migrant. 

Blackpoll  Warbler,  Dcndroica  striata.  Common 
migrant. 


NATURAL    HISTORY  347 

Blackburnian  Warbler,  Dendroica  blackburnice. 
Scarce  migrant.  Sometimes  not  uncommon. 

Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  Dendroica  virens. 
Common  summer  resident. 

Pine  Warbler,  Dendroica  vigorsii.  Common  summer 
resident. 

Yellow  Palm  Warbler,  Dendroica  palmannn  Jiypo- 
chrysea.  Common  migrant. 

Prairie  Warbler,  Dendroica  discolor.  Locally  common 
summer  resident. 

Ovenbird,  Seiurus  aurocapillns.  Very  common 
summer  resident. 

Water  Thrush,  Seiurns  noveboracensis.  Not  un- 
common in  spring. 

Connecticut  Warbler,  Geothlypis  agilis.  Rarely 
seen,  in  fall. 

Maryland  Yellowthroat,  Geothlypis  tricJias.  Abun- 
dant summer  resident. 

Wilson's  Warbler,  Sylvania  pusilla.     Scarce  migrant. 

Canadian  Flycatching  Warbler,  Sylvania  canadensis. 
Not  uncommon  in  spring. 

American  Redstart,  Setophaga  rnticilla.  Common 
summer  resident.  Somewhat  local. 

American  Pipit,  Titlark,  Anthus  pensilvanicns.  Very 
common  locally  in  fall.  Less  numerous  in  spring. 

Catbird,  Galeoscoptes  carolinensis .  Abundant  sum- 
mer resident. 

Brown  Thrasher,  Harporhynchus  rnfns.  Common 
summer  resident. 

House  Wren,  Troglodytes  aedon.  Scarce.  Occasion- 
ally one  is  seen  in  spring. 

Winter  Wren,  Troglodytes  liicmalis.  Occasionally 
seen  in  fall  and  winter. 


348  HfSrORY    OF   DOVER 

Short-billed  Marsh  Wren,  Cistothorus  stellaris. 
Locally  common  summer  resident. 

Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  Cistothorus  pains  tr  is. 
Locally  common  summer  resident. 

Brown  Creeper,  CertJiia  familiaris  americana.  Not 
uncommon  in  colder  months. 

White-breasted  Nuthatch,  Sitta  carolinensis.  Com- 
mon resident. 

Red-breasted  Nuthatch,  Sitta  canadensis.  Irregular 
in  colder  months,  sometimes  common  in  late  fall. 

Chickadee,   Parns   atricapillus.     Abundant  resident. 

Hudsonian  Chickadee,  Pants  Jindsonicus.  Casual. 
One  specimen  taken  in  Wellesley,  near  Cheney  estate, 
in  fall. 

Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  Rcgulus  satrapa.  Common 
during  colder  months. 

Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  Regulns  calendula.  Not  un- 
common migrant. 

Wood  Thrush,  Tnrdus  mustclinus.  Rather  common 
summer  resident. 

Wilson's  Thrush,  Veery,  Turdus  fuscesccns.  Com- 
mon summer  resident. 

Hermit  Thrush,  Turdus  aonalascJikce  pallasii.  Not 
uncommon  migrant. 

Robin,  Merula  migratoria.  Abundant  summer  resi 
dent.  Sometimes  a  few  winter. 

Bluebird,   Sialia  sialis.      Common   summer  resident. 


INDEX. 


Adams,  John,  87. 
Agricultural  College,  157. 
Agricultural  Library,  252. 
Alger,  Rev.  Horatio,  Jr.,  249. 
Allen,  Eleazer,  115. 
Allen,  Eleazer,  Jr.,  115. 
Allen,  Hezekiah,  115,  135. 
Allen,  Hezekiah  Peters,  115. 
Allen,  Jared,  135. 
Allen,  Perez,  135. 
Allen,  Timothy,  116. 
Allen,  Timothy,  Jr.,  136. 
Allen,  William  H.,  3 1 1. 
Almshouse,  245. 
Andre,  Major,  107. 
Anecdotes,  70. 
Arithmetic,  206. 
Arlington,  92. 
Associated  churches,  63. 
Australian  ballot,  231. 
Authors,  297. 

Axes,  manufacture  of,  286. 
Ayer,  Henry  H.,  301,  304. 
Ayers,  Calvin,  312. 
Avers,  Fisher,  134. 

Bachelder,  Samuel  H.,  312. 
Bacon,  Ephraim,  Jr.,  116. 
Bacon,  Horace,  136. 
Bacon,  Jeremiah,  116. 
Bacon,  Jeremiah,  Jr.,  116. 
Kacon,  John,  116. 
Bacon,  Joseph,  116. 
Bacon,  Josiah,  116. 
Bacon,  Josiah,  Jr.,  116. 
Bacon,  Michael,  116. 
Bacon,  Moses,  116. 
Bacon,  Silas,  117,  136. 
Badger,  Rev.  George  H.,  173. 
Bailey,  Rev.  Luther,  150. 
Baker,  Jabez,  118. 
Baker's  Bridge,  8. 
Band  of  Hope,  276. 
Baptist  Church,  183,  244. 
Baptist  Church  deacons,  186. 
Barker,  Rev.  Edward,  170. 
Bartlett,  Andrew  W.,  304,  312. 
Batteile,  Rev.  A.  E.,  183. 
Battelle,  John,  142. 
Battle,  Ebenezer,  117,  134. 
Battle,  Ebenezer,  Jr.,  117. 
Battle,  Eleazer,  136. 
Battle,  Hezekiah,  117,  136. 
Battle,  John,  117. 


Battle,  Jonathan,  nS,  136. 

Battle,  Joseph,  118. 

Battle,  Josiah,  118,  136. 

Battle,  Ralph,  137. 

Battle,  Rufus,  137. 

Battle,  Thomas,  22. 

Battles  in  Civil  War,  303. 

Beaver,  12. 

Bell-ringing,  169,  198. 

Bemis,  George,  313. 

Bible  in  church  sen-ice,  63. 

Big  Brook,  5. 

Bigelow,  Chester  A.,  313. 

Billings,  Elkanah,  32. 

Birds,  list  of,  336. 

Blacksmith,  285. 

Blackwell,  Heman,  313. 

Blake,  William,  137. 

Boiling  Springs,  9. 

Boston  Daily  Advertiser,  165. 

Boston  martyrs.  91. 

Boston  Tea-party,  87. 

Boy,  Joseph,  320. 

Boys,  79. 

Brett,  Uriah,  137. 

Brewer,  John,  63. 

Brick  ovens,  75. 

Bridge  Street,  18. 

Brown,  James  E.,  313. 

Brown,  John,  118. 

Brown,  John  M.,  304,  313. 

Brown,  Thomas,  53. 

Brownville,  Rev.  J.  W.,  191. 

Brush  factor}',  283. 

Bundle  handkerchief,  78. 

Bunker  Hill,  96. 

Burgoyne's  troops,  105. 

Burke,  Edmund,  83. 

Burridge,  John,  137. 

Burridge,  Obed,  137. 

Burridge,  Thomas,  118. 

Butchers,  287. 

Cambridge,  106. 

Candlemas  Day,  73. 

Card-playing,  242. 

Caryl,  Rev.  Benjamin,  54,  55,  57,  64,  no. 

Caryl,  Dr.  George,  234. 

Carpenters,  287. 

Gary,  James,  304,  313. 

Catholics,  193. 

Cattle  and  swine,  u,  227. 

Cedar  Hill,  4. 

Cemetery,  194. 


35° 


INDEX 


Centennial  celebration,  279.  Dedham  Street,  18. 

Center  schoolhouse,  211.  Dedication  of  meeting-house,  34,  147,  176. 

Center  Street,  18,  260.  De  Normandie,  Rev.  Eugene,  173. 

Champion,  Rev.  George,  188.  Dewing,  Elijah,  120. 

Chandler,  Rev.  S.  C.,  185.  Dingle  Hole  Narrows,  7. 

Chapel  Street,  260.  District  of  Dover,  224. 

Charcoal,  13,  285.  Dorchester  Heights,  98,  99,  too. 

Charles  River,  2,  6,  7.  Dorr,  Joseph,  53. 

Charles  River  Street,  19.  Dover  Grange,  277. 

Charles  River  Railroad,  161.  Dover  Historical  Society,  278. 

Charles  River  Village,  233.  Dover  mills,  281. 

Cheese-press,  70.  Dover  Street,  19,  261. 

Cheney,  James,  118.  Dover  Street,  Boston,  13. 

Cheney,  John,  118.  Dover  Temperance  Union,  276. 

Cheney,  Joseph,  118.  Draft  in  Civil  War,  308. 

Cherry  Valley,  104.  Draper,  Charles,  137. 

Chestnut  Street,  19.  Draper,  James,  23,  120. 

Chicatabut,  14.  Draper,  Jesse,  137. 

Chicken  cholera,  295.  Draper,  John,  120. 

Chickering,  Daniel,  118.  Draper,  Joseph,  Jr.,  120. 

Chickering,  Daniel,  Jr.,  119.  Draper,  Josiah,  120. 

Chickering,  John,  119.  Draper,  Moses,  120. 

Chickering,  Joseph,  119.  Draper,  Nathaniel,  120 

Chickering,  Nathaniel,  23,  119.  Drawing  in  schools,  213. 

Chickering,  Samuel,  25,  119.  Droughts,  231. 

Christian  Register,  165.  Dunn,  L.  Theodore,  314. 

Christmas  festival,  181.  Duty  on  tea,  86. 

Church  decoration,  182.  Dwelling-houses,  2. 

Church  lands,  46. 

Church  members,  62.  East  School,  216. 

Church  organ,  iSi.  Easter,  182. 

Church  organized,  57.  .  Earthquakes,  231. 

Church  service,  69,  179.  FJdridge,  Rev.  Obed,  173. 

Church  Street,  19,  261.  Ellis,  Eleazer,  25,  138. 

Cider-presses,  275.  Ellis,  Jesse,  121. 

Cigars,  284.  Ellis,  John,  121. 

Civil  War,  301.  Epitaphs,  201. 

Clark,  William,  53.  Evolution  of  the  town,  222. 

Clay  Brook,  5. 

Cleveland,  David,  119.  Fairbanks,  Aaron,  121. 

Colburn,  Irving,  314.  Fairbanks,  Benjamin,  138. 

College  graduates,  220.  Farm  Bridge,  7. 

Committee  of  Correspondence,  88.  Farm  products,  78. 

Commodities,  price  of,  310.  Farm  Street,  18,  259. 

Confession  of  faith,  58.  Farmers,  70. 

Congregational   Association   of   Ministers,         Farrett,  Thomas,  121. 

163.  Farrington,  Aaron,  121. 

Conner,  Charles,  314.  Farrington,  Ichabod,  121. 

Continental  Army,  98,  114.  Farrington,  Israel,  Jr.,  121. 

Continental  currency,  108.  Farrington,  Samuel,  121. 

Cook,  Nathan,  119.  Fauna,  335. 

County  Street,  18,  259.  Fearing,  George  W.,  314. 

Covenant,  59.  Fearing,  Perez  F.,  304.  314. 

Crane,  Abijah,  120.  Federalist,  161. 

Cross  Street,  19.  Feicht,  William,  321. 

Crown  Point,  83.  Fenner,  F>astus  L.,  321. 

Ferns,  334. 

Dame  School,  204.  Firearms,  in. 

Dana,  Samuel,  49.  Fire  extinguishers,  238. 

Daughters  of  the  Revolution,  108.  First  district  officers,  226. 

Davis,  Rev.  Emerson,  65.  First  Parish  Library,  178. 

Day,  Ralph,  25,  120.  First  sexton,  197. 

Day's  Bridge,  7.  Fisher,  Daniel,  Jr.,  138. 

Deacons,  60.  Fisher,  George,  134,  138. 

Deacons  First  Parish  Church,  174.  Fisher,  John.  122. 

Dean,  Luke,  120.  Fisher,  Joseph,  122. 

Debating  society,  278.  Fisher,  Samuel,  122. 
Dedhanvs  grant  of  land  for   Indian  settle-         Fisher,  William,   122. 

ment,  14.  Fisher's  Bridge,  8. 


INDEX 


351 


Flora,  324. 

Flowers,  72. 

Foot-stoves,  69,  147. 

Fortification,  n,  24. 

Foss,  Joseph  R.,  321. 

Fourth  Parish,  2,  20. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  83. 

Free  schools,  203. 

French  and  Indian  War,  83,  84. 

Frost,  John  F.,  321. 

Fruit,  77. 

Fuller,  Daniel,  122,  134,  138. 

Fuller,  David,  105,  122. 

Fuller,  Henry  A.,  314. 

Funeral  customs,  200. 

Galleries  in  meeting-house,  36. 

Gardner,  Thomas,  122. 

Gay,  Ebenezer,  122. 

Gay,  Edwin  F.,  314. 

Gay,  Ezra,  123. 

Gay,  James,  123. 

Gay,  Jesse,  138. 

Gay,  Stephen,  123. 

General  Court,  149. 

General  Court,  representative  to,  252. 

Geography,  206. 

Geology,  323. 

Gilbert,  Henry,  321. 

Gilman,  Hibbard  W.,  315. 

Gilman,  John  T.,  314. 

Gilman,  Lewis  E.,  315. 

Girls,  79. 

Glen  Street,  18. 

Good  Templars,  276. 

Governor's  Island,  105. 

Graduating  exercises,  213. 

Grand  Army,  202. 

Gravestones,  200. 

Great  Spring,  6. 

Greenwood,  Thomas,  31. 

Grpce,  William  R.,  315. 

Guide-posts,  227. 

Hanks,  Henry  J.,  315. 

Hanscom,  C.  Dwight,  315. 

Hart,  William  G.,  315. 

Hartford  Street,  18. 

Hartford  turnpike,  236. 

Haven  Christian  Endeavor  Society,  192. 

Haven,  Elias,  92,  123. 

Haven  Street,  19.- 

Headley,  Rev.  P.  C.,  191. 

Healthfulness  of  Dover,  12. 

Hearse,  197. 

Herbs,  72. 

Herring,  Lemuel,  123. 

Herring,  Petitiah,  123. 

Herring,  Petitiah,  Jr.,  124. 

Hewins,  Joseph,  31. 

High-school  course,  216. 

Highways,  8,  256,  257. 

Hogan,  John,  315. 

Home  Guards,  305. 

Home  Missionary  Society,  190. 

Horse-sheds,  36. 

Hotchkiss,  Willard  J.,  321. 

Howard,  Rev.  H.  L. ,  191. 

Husking-parties,  So. 


Incorporation  of  district  of  Dover,  225. 
Indians,  9. 

Instructions  to  Samuel  Dexter,  Esq.,  84. 
Inventions,  293. 

Jennings,  Henry  C.,  304.  315. 
Jones,  Adam,  124. 
Jones,  John,  2,  84,  86. 
Jones,  John,  Jr.,  86,  93. 
Jones,  Thomas,  45. 

Kenrick,  Oliver,  124. 
Kitchen,  75. 
Kingsbury,  Samuel,  52. 
Knapp,  Jesse,  124. 

Ladies'  Benevolent  Society,  181. 
Land,  acres  of,  13. 
Larrabee,  Joseph,  133. 
Larrabee,  Thomas,  99,  124. 
Latitude,  i. 

Leach,  Augustus  A.,  316. 
Lennon,  William,  316. 
Leonard,  Rev.  Edwin,  192. 
Liberty-pole,  302. 
Lincoln,  Abraham,  roi. 
Locke,  Rev.  Calvin  S.,  172. 
Locke,  Samuel,  51. 
Longitude,  i. 
Louisburg,  82. 
Lynn,  Daniel,  138. 

McAllister,  William,  316. 
McLaughlin,  John,  316. 
Main  Street,  18. 
Malaria,  7. 
Mann,  Daniel,  138. 
Mann,  Elbridge  L.,  316. 
Mann,  George  H.,  316. 
Mann,  James,  124. 
Mann,  Lorenzo,  138. 
Mann,  Willard,  139. 
Manning,  Joseph,  47,  48. 
Mansfield,  William,  125. 
Manufacture  of  boots,  288. 
Manufacture  of  paper,  284. 
Manufacture  of  whips,  282. 
Marden,  Ellis,  317. 
Marketmen,  290. 
Markham,  George  R.,  304,  316. 
Marriage  notices,  169. 
Martin,  William,  316. 
Mason,  Asa,  124. 
Mason,  John,  124. 
Mason,  Dr.  Lowell,  155. 
Mason,  Moses,  124. 
Meeting-house,  29. 
Meeting-house  burned,  40,  143. 
Meeting-house  site,  33. 
Mellen,  Nathaniel,  125. 
Memorial  Day,  142. 
Mendon  Association,  64. 
Menotomy,  92. 
Metcalf,  Nathaniel,  125. 
Metropolitan  Park  System,  268. 
Militia,  82,  134,  269. 
Milk  business,  291. 
Mill  Brook,  5. 
Mill  Street,  19,  258. 


352 


INDEX 


Miller,  Benjamin,  317.  Piano,  251. 

Miller  Hill,  4.  Pillar  of'  Liberty,  85. 

Millerites,  193.  Pinch,  Rev.  Pierce,  190. 

Mineralogy,  323.  Pine  Rock  Hill,  4. 

Minister  called,  47.  Pine  Street,  18. 

Minute-men,  91,  302.  Plan  of  meeting-house,  42,  43. 

Mitchell,  Robert,  321.  Pleasant  Street,  19. 

Monroe,  Thomas,  317.  Ploughs,  288. 

Morse,  Daniel,  139.  Pontoon  Bridge,  8. 

Morse,  Thomas,  125.  Population,  67. 

Mudy,  Joseph,  139.  Ports  blockaded,  133. 

Muster-roll,  Lexington  alarm,  94.                          Postmasters,  233. 

Myer,  Charles  \V.,  317.  Post-office,  232. 

4     Potatoes,  13,  76. 

Nail  factory,  281.  Pound,  227. 

Name  of  town,  2.  Powder-house,  228. 
Needham  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Asso-        Powisset  Indians,  9. 

ciation,  278.  Powisset  Street,  18,  261. 

Neponset  River,  6.  Printing  business,  293. 

New  England  primer,  205.  Proctor,  Rev.  George,  17:. 

New  meeting-house,  144,  146.  Proprietors'  Library,  243. 

New  Mill  Road,  259.  Providence,  R.I.,  106. 

New  York  &  New  England  Railroad,  2.  Public  balls,  242. 

Newell,  Ebenezer,  125,  139,  241.  Public  library,  158,  215. 

Newell,  Josiah,  Jr.,  139.  Public  school  education,  156. 

Newell,  Reuben,  139.  Public  worship,  permanent,  46. 

Newell,  Theodore,  125.  Pulpit,  35. 

Newell's  Bridge,  8,  266.  Pyncham,  William,  14. 
Newport,  106. 

Newspaper,  68.  Railroads,  160,  269. 

Nimrod's  Rock,  7.  Rattlesnakes,  12. 

Noanet,  9.  Road-scraper,  261. 

Noanet  Brook,  5.  Road  surveyors,  262. 

Noanet's  Hall,  251.  Record,  Philo,  317. 

Noon  house,  69.  Record,  Seth,  317. 

Norfolk  Agricultural  Society,  157.                         Recruiting  committee,  306. 

Norfolk  Congregational  Association,  65.  Red  coat,  93. 

Norfolk  County,  i.  Reed,  John,  126. 

Norfolk  County  Temperance  Union,  276.            Relics,  113. 

Norfolk  Turnpike,  260.  Representatives  to  General  Court,  227. 

Noyes,  Nathaniel,  52.  Reserve  Pond,  6. 

Northwest  Territory,  113.  Rhode  Island,  106. 

Norton,  Rev.  T.  ,S.~  189.  Rice,  Rev.  A.  M.,  191. 

Richards,  Abijah,  126. 

Oak  Hill,  4.  Richards,  Asa,  126,  139. 

O'Donnell,  Michael,  317.  Richards,  Calvin,  139. 

Officers  in  Civil  War,  303.  Richards,  Calvin,  Jr.,  140. 

Old  houses,  74.  Richards,  David,  126. 

O'Ragan,  Timothy,  317.  Richards,  Ebenezer,  126. 

Original  bounds,  14.  Richards,  Jesse,  126. 

Otter,  12.  Richards,  Josiah,  126. 

Ox-teaming,  70.  Richards,  Lemuel,  127. 

Richards,  Luther,  140. 

Palmer,  Rev.  Stephen,  65.  Richards,  Moses,  127. 

Parish  wood-lot,  61.  Richards,  Richard,  127. 

Parker,  Joseph,  125.  Richards,  Samuel,  128. 

Parks,  266.  Richards,  Solomon,  128,  140. 

Parsonage,  61.  Richards,  Thndeus,  128. 

Patriotic  women,  309.  Richards,  William,  140. 

Paupers,  245.  Rolling-mill,  2Si. 

Pegan  Hill,  3.  Roxbury,  106,  145. 

Pegan  Indians,  9. 

Pegan  Street,  19.  Sanger,  Ralph,  140,  150,  152,  162. 

Perry,  Amos,  109.  Sanger  schoolhouse,  213,  215. 

Perry,  Lowell,  130.  Saw-mill,  289. 

Petition,  27.  School  districts,  208,  213. 

Pews  in  meeting-house,  4:,  43.  School  libraries,  219. 

Pewter,  76.  School,  North,  219. 

Physicians,  233.  School  report,  211. 


INDEX  353 

School  superintendent,  211.  Substitutes,  308. 

School  year,  209.  Suffolk  County,  i,  20,  24. 

Schoolhouses,  240.  Suffolk  resolutions,  89. 

Schoolmasters,  205.  Sumner,  Ebenezer,  141. 

Schools,  no.  Sumner,  Eugene,  318. 

Schools,  consolidation  of,  217.  Sunday-school  library,  179. 

Scofield,  Coleman,  321.  Sunday-schools,  177. 

Seating  the  meeting-house,  36,  38,  39.  Superintendent  of  schools,  255. 

Seats  in  meeting-house,  35.  Superintendent  of  streets,  263. 

Second  Congregational  Church,  244,  186.  Sylva,  332. 

Second   Congregational   Church    deacons, 

'92-  Taft,  Silas,  129. 
Second  Congregational  Church  parsonage,         Tailoress,  76 

l89-  Talbot,  Levi  A.,  318. 
Second  Congregational  Meeting-house,  187.         Tannery   285 

Selectmen,  253.  Tavern,  238.  ' 

Settle,  75.  Tavern-keepers,  241. 

Sewell,  Rev.  Charles  C.,  249.  Tax-list  2- 

Shays's  Rebellion,  132.  Taylor,  Charles  H.,  319. 

Sherman,  ^athamel,  5I.  Taylor,  William,  322. 

Shingle-mill,  284.  Te3;  88 

Ship-timber,  13.  Tea-parties,  71. 

Shoemakers,  76.  Temperance  reform,  275. 

Shruckrove,  Darnel,  317.  Tennor,  Erastus  L.,  3I9. 

Shrubs,  333-  Thacher,  Rev.  P.  S.,  174. 

Shumway,  Amos  W.,  141.  Thayer,  Ezra,  52. 

Shumway,  John,  140.  Thomas,  Benjamin  W.,  319. 

Singers,  36.  Thomas,  Samuel  G.,  316. 

Singing,  180  Thomas,  William  H.,  319. 

Singing  in  schools,  213.  Ticonderoga,  100. 

Singing-schools,  79,  242.  Tisdale,  Ansel  K.,  319. 

Silver  money,  235.  Tisdale,  Billings,  141. 

Slitt  rig-mill,  281.  Tisdale,  Henr>-,  129,  141. 

Small-pox  hospital,  237.  Tisdale,  James,  141. 

Smith,  Barach,  128.  Tithing-men,  169. 

Smith,  Ebenezer,  128.  Titles  40 

Smith,  Fred  E.,  318.  Toll-gates,  237. 

Smith,  Joseph,  129.  Tombs,  198. 

Smith,  Lewis,  140.  Toryism,  86,  89. 

Smith,  Lewis   Jr.,  318.  Towle>  James  M     3IC). 

Smith    Peter  1     51.  Town  clerkS; 

Smith  Street    18,  259.  Town  Hall 

Smitherest,  Lewellen,  322.  Town>  how  bounded,  i. 

Social  pleasures,  242  Town  library   244,  25,. 

Soldiers  killed  in  Civil  \\  ar,  304.  Town-meetings,  229,  230. 

Sons  of  Liberty,  85,  86,  240.  Town  seal    16 

Sons  of  Temperance,  276.  Towll  treasurers,  255. 

Soule,  Alexander,  14.  Training-days,  240. 

south  School,  217,  218.  Travel   77 

Spinning-wheels,  76.  Trenton,  battle  of,  101. 

Spnngda  e  Avenue,  18,  258.  Trout  Brook,  5. 

Springfield  Parish,  2,  90.  Tubwreck  Brook,  5. 

Stamp  Act,  84,  85.  Tyler   Rev.  A.  H     Igl. 
Staples,  Howard  A.,  318. 

Statistics,  209.  TT   .       „  .       ,  „     .  . 

Stevens,  John,  304,  V8.  Union  Congregational  Society,  251. 

Stimson,  Elias,  129.  Un!ted  S  ates',  'I2' 

Stinson,  Alfred  A.,  322.  LPham'  Jonathan,  ,41. 
Stone,  Eliab,  52. 

Stone  steps,  36.  Valley  Forge,  104. 

Stores,  291.  Vines,  333. 
Stoves,  69,  147. 

Stowe,  Rev.  Calvin  E.,  243.  Wade,  John  H.,  315. 

Stowe,  Walter,  141.  Wall,  Patrick,  319. 

Strang,  John  E.,  318.  Walpole  Street,  18,  258. 

Straw  business,  282.  War  envelopes,  311. 

Stra\vberry  Hill,  4.  War  of  1812,  133. 

Strawberry  Hill  Street,  19.  Ware,  Joseph,  31. 

Streets,  17.  Warming-pan,  75. 


354 


INDEX 


Washington,  George,  98,  103. 

Webster,  Daniel,  91,  146. 

Weeds,  331. 

Welsh,  James,  319. 

Welsh,  Michael,  320. 

West  School,  216. 

Wheelwright,  286. 

Whiting,  Aaron,  97,  129,  133,  149. 

Whiting,  Daniel,  104,  in,  113,  241. 

Whiting,  Ellis,  130. 

Whiting,  Ithamar,  320. 

Whiting,  Jabez,  130. 

Whiting,  Jonathan,  130. 

Whiting,  William,  320. 

Whitney,  Job,  53. 

Whitney,  Phineas,  53. 

WhitwelL  William,  52. 

Wight,  Seth,  Jr.,  131. 

Wight  Street,  18,  261. 

Wight's  Bridge,  8. 

Wildcats,  12. 

Wilkinson,  Ebenezer,  134. 


Will  of  Joseph  Larrabee,  246. 
Williams,  John,  141,  241. 
Williams,  John  F.,  320. 
Williams,  Joseph,  31. 
Williams,  Dr.  Samuel,  57. 
Williams  Tavern,  239,  240. 
Willow  Street,  19,  258. 
Wilson,  Ephraim,  131. 
Wilson,  Henry,  22. 
Wilson,  Rev.  J.  G.,  189. 
Wilson,  Samuel,  131. 
Wilsondale  Street,  18,  259. 
Winchester,  Jonathan,  52. 
Wisset  Indians,  q. 
Wolves,  12. 
Women  teachers,  205. 
Wood,  Rev.  John,  190. 
Woodenware,  76. 
Woods,  Albert  A.,  304,  320. 

Young  men's  seats,  38. 
Young  women's  Feats,  38. 


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